Dutch darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven has bravely spoken out about receiving death threats as she prepares for her historic World Championship debut. The 28-year-old athlete, who will become the first transgender woman to compete in the World Championship at London's Alexandra Palace, shared her disturbing experiences in a recent Sport1 podcast "Checkout."
Facing Serious Threats
"Someone wrote to me: If you follow my girl to the ladies' restroom, I will kill you," van Leuven revealed. "Such messages make me anxious in public spaces. Recently at the airport, I found myself wondering: Is someone watching me? Could that person be nearby? It's terrible."
Breaking Barriers in Professional Darts
Van Leuven qualified for the World Championship through the Women's Series and is scheduled to play her first-round match against fellow Dutch player Kevin Doets on Tuesday. Her qualification, while groundbreaking, has unfortunately led to hostility and criticism, including from some fellow players who felt disadvantaged.
Personal Journey
The athlete completed hormone therapy in 2022 and meets all eligibility requirements set by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). Speaking about her past, van Leuven shared her struggles: "I was not a happy child. I always questioned: What's wrong with me? I always felt different. I never fit in with the boys and always found myself more comfortable in girls' groups."
She described experiencing severe depression around her 18th birthday, stating, "I felt terrible. I was in a deep depression. I didn't want to live anymore. There was no joy in my life." Van Leuven received support through a Gender-Care clinic, which helped her become her authentic self.
Moving Forward
Despite the challenges and negativity she faces, van Leuven made her professional darts debut in autumn 2022. Addressing the hatred directed at her, she told "Dartsnews" in October: "It's awful, but I try not to take it too much to heart," adding poignantly, "I think the only thing I regret about this topic is that many people forget that I am also human."