The transgender darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven sparked outrage after winning the PDC Women’s Series (world darts championship), which caused two of his teammates to resign.
In the second event of the 2024 PDC Women’s Series in Wigan, England, the 27-year-old defeated world number one Beau Greaves in the quarterfinals before beating Fallon Sherrock in the semifinals 5-3.
Facing Ireland’s Katie Sheldon in the final, Van Leuven triumphed 5-2 and took home prize money of £2,000.
The win comes just a week after she made history by becoming the first trans woman to win a PDC Tour event at the Challenge Tour in Hildesheim, Germany.
Noa Lynn van Leuven, the young 27 year old player is involved in a controversy. Outraged by the victory, 18-time Grand Slam tennis champion Martina Navratilova said: “Please, no male bodies in women’s sports, not even darts.”
In a post on social media platform X, Martina added: ‘Once again, it is women who bear the brunt. And it sucks.”
Again, women get the short end of the stick anyway. And it stinks. https://t.co/ehmlIikIQb
— Martina Navratilova (@Martina) March 24, 2024
In the meantime, Two of Van Leuven’s Dutch compatriots quit the national team in protest after Saturday’s victory.
Noa Lynn van Leuven aroused the fury of two colleagues. Anca Zijlstra revealed she would withdraw “with a heavy heart”, before world number two Aileen de Graaf quit hours later and vowed never to represent the Netherlands again.
Zijlstra, 50, wrote on Facebook: “That moment when you are ashamed to go out with the Dutch team, because a biological man plays in the women’s team, it’s time to go.”
“I’ve tried to accept it but I can’t approve or validate it.”
‘I think there should be equality and a level playing field in sport. I hope with all my heart and for all women in sport that people come to their senses.’
De Graaf, 33, said: “If someone doesn’t feel good about the body they were born in, I encourage everyone to change it and be happy.” I just don’t think it’s right for a biological man to propose to women or vice versa. It’s either mixed or not.”
Facing both men’s and women’s competitions, van Leuven beat seven other contestants en route to the final before starring in the masterpiece of the event and taking victory.
VICTORY FOR VAN LEUVEN! ????????
Noa-Lynn van Leuven takes her first PDC Women’s Series title in Wigan! ????
Van Leuven overcomes some late double trouble to defeat young Irishwoman Katie Sheldon in the Event Two final! pic.twitter.com/fEnlFzMQk3
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) March 23, 2024
Source: Clarin
Mary Ortiz is a seasoned journalist with a passion for world events. As a writer for News Rebeat, she brings a fresh perspective to the latest global happenings and provides in-depth coverage that offers a deeper understanding of the world around us.