- Noa-Lynn van Leuven claimed PDC Women’s Series titles in the Netherlands
- The 28-year-old took a two-month break this year to focus on mental health
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has claimed two women’s titles after taking a break for mental health reasons.
Van Leuven first won a fifth PDC Women’s Series title by beating Stefanie Lueck 5-0 in the final of Event 9.
The 28-year-old then secured a 5-1 victory over Rhian O’Sullivan to win Event 10 in Rosmalen, the Netherlands.
Both tournaments are worth £10,000 each in prize money, and in winning both, Van Leuven equalled Mikuru Suzuki’s Women Series title tally of six.
Van Leuven’s latest success comes just over two months after taking a break from darts to prioritise mental health.
Posting on Instagram in January, Van Leuven wrote: ‘Unfortunately, I didn’t play my best matches. The truth is that my head hasn’t been in the right place for a while. I’ve been struggling with my mental health for months, every time a tournament comes around.
Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven has claimed two PDC Women’s Series title
The 28-year-old triumphs come after taking a break for mental health reasons
‘I’ve tried to push it aside, but this time I haven’t been able to. Focusing on darts, while old traumas from the events of the past year are flaring up, doesn’t work. It’s time to prioritise my mental health and work on getting better.’
Van Leuven concluded her post by vowing to return to the sport when ready, adding: ‘This isn’t the end of my journey, just a step back to move forward. Thanks to everyone who’s supported me along the way – I appreciate it more than I can put into words.’
Van Leuven debuted at the World Championship in December but lost in the opening round at Alexandra Palace to her fellow countryman Kevin Doets.
The Dutch player, who started transitioning as a teenager, enjoyed a breakthrough 2024 by winning multiple women’s tournaments.
However, Van Leuven’s success was not welcomed by all players, with some female rivals, including British star Deta Hedman, calling for transgender players to be banned from women’s events.
Van Leuven hit back in October 2024, labelling those wanting her removed from tournaments ‘toxic b***hes’.
Van Leuven said: ‘I thought the world should know. This is discrimination. We have been thrown back 40 years with the sport of darts.’
Van Leuven later told Dutch outlet NU: ‘They (other players) secretly tell me that they don’t understand the commotion. But there are a lot of conservative, toxic b***hes on the women’s tour.
Anca Zijlstra (left) and Aileen de Graaf (right) refused to play in the same team as Van Leuven
‘They see me as a threat. I throw well now (on the women’s tour) because I feel more comfortable.
‘It’s a matter of putting money and hours into it. Not many women do that, but I do. I’ve proven I can win over men, too.’
Van Leuven was also rejected by Dutch team-mates earlier in 2024, with Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf leaving the national team back in March after refusing to play with her.
