Who is Noa-Lynn van Leuven? Meet transgender darts star taking on Peter Wright at Ally Pally
Who is Noa-Lynn van Leuven? Meet transgender darts star taking on Peter Wright at Ally Pally | Wales Online
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven will be looking for a World Darts Championship upset when she goes up against Peter Wright at Alexandra Palace on Monday
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
11:17, 15 Dec 2025
Noa-Lynn van Leuven features on Monday’s schedule of play at Ally Pally(Image: Getty Images)
Everything you need to know aboutNoa-Lynn van Leuven ahead of her first-round clash with Peter Wright
- Historic debut: Noa-Lynn van Leuven made history as the first openly transgender woman to compete in the PDC World Darts Championship. Although she lost her first-round match last year, her appearance marked a significant and ground-breaking moment for the sport.
- Conflicting rules: While the World Darts Federation (WDF) recently banned transgender women from its women’s tournaments, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) continues to allow them. Van Leuven remains eligible for the PDC’s biggest events because she meets their specific medical requirements regarding testosterone levels.
- Performance on stage: She earned her spot in the prestigious World Championship by performing exceptionally well in the PDC Women’s Series. During her debut match at Alexandra Palace, she impressed the audience by winning the first set before eventually losing to Kevin Doets.
- Mixed reactions: Her inclusion in women’s darts has sparked intense debate, leading to online abuse and even protests from some spectators. Despite this hostility, the live crowd at the World Championship gave her a warm welcome and cheered her on during the game.
- Mental health struggle: The intense public scrutiny and hateful messages severely impacted her mental health, leading her to take a temporary break from darts. She described her return to the professional stage as a “miracle” after battling deep depression and dark thoughts.
- Support from champions: Leading male players, including world champions Luke Humphries and Michael van Gerwen, have publicly supported her right to play. They have emphasised that she follows all the existing rules and should be allowed to compete without harassment.
- Fairness debate: The WDF justified its ban by claiming it ensures fairness, restricting women’s events to those born biologically female. Van Leuven rejected this reasoning, arguing darts is a game of skill and precision rather than physical strength.
- Future outlook: Despite being barred from WDF events, Van Leuven is determined to continue her career in PDC tournaments. She views her visibility as vital for the transgender community and refuses to let critics force her into retirement.
- READ MORE: Peter Wright’s huge mansion which he shares with wife and unconventional housemates
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