Noa-Lynn van Leuven broke new ground for darts as she became the first-ever transgender to compete at the PDC World Darts Championship and the crowd made their feelings known.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven made history at the World Championship debut despite losing in the first round at Alexandra Palace.
The 28-year-old made history during Tuesday afternoon’s session at the PDC World Darts Championships by becoming the first-ever transgender player to appear at the tournament. She took on fellow Dutch star Kevin Doets in the first round of the competition on Tuesday – ultimately losing 3-1 after an impressive performance.
Van Leuven booked her spot thanks to her performances in the PDC Women’s Series. But her inclusion has courted controversy. Deta Hedman decided not to play against her in May, while she also faced boos at the Grand Slam.
But there was a warm reception among the crowd at the Alexandra Palace. There were cheers from the crowd as she walked on, while she also signed autographs on her way to the oche. There were also loud cheers as Van Leuven won her first leg of the game which continued as she sealed the first set of the match.
Doets levelled matters in the second set after a stunning leg in which he required an eye-watering 33 darts. And that leg proved to be the talking point with Doets before taking the third after more profligacy on the doubles from Van Leuven.
The fourth went to a decider, with Van Leuven throwing six perfect darts in the penultimate leg, before Doets clinched the game.
Speaking to Sky Sports just before walking out, Van Leuven said: “I’m really excited, just a bit nervous. It’s an amazing venue. I love this crowd, I love this venue, I love this stage, I just want to go out there and play.”
Van Leuven had previously revealed how she responds to criticism. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the world championships, she said: “Being one of the players that is actually in the spotlight and not in a really good way, I think it’s been okay. I’m pretty strong. It’s rough going out on that stage but I do like it. I don’t know what to expect from the crowd.”
And she believed that would have been able to block out any adverse reaction at the Alexandra Palace. She added: “The other way around, it’s like every time something negative happens, I always come out really good.
“I win a tournament or I just show great games after moments like that. I get so much support and so many people sending me text messages like, ‘You’re doing so well, keep going, just be you’.”
Two of the world’s best players spoke out in defence of Van Leuven ahead of the tournament. The PDC World Championship reigning champion Luke Humphries said: “I don’t get too involved in the politics, to be honest. It’s not up to me to say whether it is right or wrong.
In any case, it would be unimportant what my opinion was. With her as with any other dart player, I just look at her. She is in the competition. She has not broken any rules. It is what she is allowed to do and nobody can stop her doing it. It would be nice if people would just leave her alone and let her play. I wish her all the best. In fact I think she gets a win and it is good for her.
I understand her fully because she is human and all can be hurt by being abused on social media. But she gets it a lot. Nevertheless, I believe that the world is negative and people simply seek to ill treat others and make them feel worst.
On the other hand, Michael van Gerwen also backed his compatriot during the tournament. The Dutchman said: “This is what she is most passionate about doing, that is playing darts. Just pass by leaving everyone in peace, that I think is good for me.
Continue with it, continue with the activity you love most. For me, it’s the same. It’s nice to play darts in big events and I feel that both of us are very lucky to be in such a setting, so I would advise her to take every chance with style.”
The PDC still allows Van Leuven to play on the women’s circuit because of the rules within the PDC. In other words, players’ levels of testosterone must be lower than a certain level for a year before the prohibited list. PDC’s chief executive Matt Porter has stated previously that Van Leuven “more than complies”.