Transgender professional darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven of the Netherlands notched a pretty significant victory this week when she notched the first Professional Darts Corporation Women’s Series title of her career.
Van Leuven defeated Katie Sheldon of Ireland at the PDC event in Wigan over the weekend to claim the championship.
“VICTORY FOR VAN LEUVEN! Noa-Lynn van Leuven clinches her maiden PDC Women’s Series title in Wigan! Van Leuven overcomes some late double trouble to defeat Irish youngster Katie Sheldon in the Event Two final!” PDC Darts said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
This championship comes about a week after van Leuven beat out several male competitors in a mixed event.
Given that van Leuven is a transgender athlete and that has become one of the hottest topics in politics recently, her victory at the event led to a lot of reactions on social media.
What does gender have to do with darts https://t.co/MRnTWplWn2
— Niggapokemon333 (@willsgardevoir) March 24, 2024
Katie Sheldon is a 20 year old from Dublin and already a world class professional darts player. Today a world title and £2300 prize was stolen from her by a male cheat, years older and twice her size.
Will the Irish media and fellow athletes stand up for her?#SaveWomensSports https://t.co/04gHuR6gUd pic.twitter.com/Vh9NW3hf4t
— Radicailín (@radicailin) March 23, 2024
https://twitter.com/EepySkys_/status/1771967134416904603?s=20
If you now think men have a biological advantage in throwing a 12-48 gram dart for 2,5 meters you might be braindead https://t.co/rnus9xsd6r
— Class Redux Killa (@aufhebenenjoyer) March 24, 2024
"im going to transition and change my entire life and possibly lose friends and family for an advantage in DART THROWING" – nobody https://t.co/Axa7VKlnDL
— updog (@justaddwatter) March 24, 2024
Honestly feel sorry for all the women that played in Wigan today. This man needs to leave your game alone. https://t.co/G3DcFcVnXU
— George Bishop (@Bish_180) March 23, 2024
Despite some criticism, PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter made it clear earlier this year is well within the rules, saying that she “complies with, easily, and has done for a long time.”
“She’s more than deserving of her place in the women’s world match play,” he said according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
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