Noa-Lynn van Leuven to make history at PDC World Championship as first trans darts player

Dutch darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven is set to make history as the first trans competitor at the PDC World Championship at the Alexandra Palace.

The 28-year-old made her debut in the PDC Women's Series in 2022, following her transition the previous year. She has twice reached the semi-finals of her home tournament, the Dutch Open, losing to eventual champion Beau Greaves in the 2024 edition.

Van Leuven had the chance to compete against the world's top female players at the upcoming Women's World Championship at Lakeside. However, she will instead participate in the PDC World Championship where the world's best male players compete.

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Only a few women have played in the PDC event at Ally Pally over the years. Mikiro Suzuki and Fallon Sherrock participated in the 2024 edition, both suffering first-round defeats in a tournament won by Luke Humphries.

Last year, the PDC changed its rules, ensuring that no one could compete at Ally Pally if they had also participated in the WDF Lakeside World Championships. The WDF event includes men's, women's and juniors events, and competitors who qualify for both have been forced to choose between the two.

Van Leuven secured her place at Ally Pally thanks to her victory in the PDC Women's Series event in Leicester on October 19. She defeated Greaves 5-3 in the final, having earlier overcome Lisa Ashton and Lorraine Hyde.

Sherrock is set to join Van Leuven in the World Championship following her victory over Suzuki in an event at the same venue the next day. The WDF confirmed that both