Darts star pulls out of tournament after being drawn against transgender player

Darts star Deta Hedman has pulled out of an upcoming tournament after being drawn against a transgender player. Hedman was due to feature against Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the quarter-finals of the 22nd event of the PDC Women's Series on Saturday.

It isn't the first time Hedman has withdrawn from a match against Van Leuven, with the Englishwoman having pulled out of the Denmark Open in 2024. She told Bild at the time: "I'm not playing against a man in a women's event." Hedman was also among those lobbying the World Darts Federation to ban transgender players from WDF events - a decision that was eventually ratified earlier this year.

However, Van Leuven and fellow transgender players are still permitted to take part in PDC events. The PDC have reiterated their stance that Van Leuven is eligible to compete in women-only events and shows no signs of following the WDF's decision.

Van Lueven has commanded plenty of support in the darts world, with Michael van Gerwen among those to have pushed for her inclusion. The three-time world champion said: "It's just heartbreaking. She does what she does and she can play terrific darts. Let her play nice. For me, there's never been a discussion, but I don't make the rules.

"The PDC has people who go over them. They can never make the right choice anyway. If they go left, people say they should go right and vice versa. Everyone has an opinion about it, but there is no point at all in continuing to argue."

However, there have been plenty in favour of the WDF's ban on trans players, with Aileen de Graaf going as far as explaining the advantages they have over female-born players. Rogue extra space here Speaking to Dutch media, she told AD.nl: "I understand it's not easy for the federation to put such a rule in writing.

"Not many sports have managed to do it yet. But it's good that it's happened, because if we all think logically, there is a difference between men's and women's sport. The difference in averages is often at least 15 points. Hand-eye coordination, focus, and the natural physical build work in men's favour."

De Graaf continued: "I get my period once a month, and when I do, my level drops a lot. Trans women can't experience that. There are clear differences. For me, it's about fairness in girls' darts. There's a reason sport separates men and women."