Transgender athlete, banned from competition, announces tearful ‘retirement’ at 29

The Darts Regulation Authority announced a rule that effectively bans Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a transgender darts player, from competing against women.

In a video posted to her Instagram account, van Leuven said “apparently I just got retired — not by choice, but because I’m no longer allowed to compete.”

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According to The Mirror, van Leuven began competing in women’s events in 2022, six years after beginning her gender transition. In 2024 van Leuven became the first transgender woman to compete at the PDC World Darts Championship.

Van Leuven has won six PDC Women’s Series titles.

“I’ve worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up, I competed. I respected the sport every game, every single day,” van Leuven said. “And now, with just one decision, I’m being told I don’t belong anymore. This isn’t just about me. This is another huge hit for the trans community.”

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More to come on this story.