Transgender darts star Noa-Lynn van Leuven suffers second consecutive defeat in the Grand Slam of Darts despite taking first two legs against Ryan Joyce
Transgender player Noa-Lynn van Leuven suffered a second consecutive defeat in the PDC Grand Slam of Darts on Sunday night.
Van Leuven, who began transitioning in 2021, made history on Saturday by becoming the first trans player to compete in a televised PDC competition against men but lost to Michael van Gerwen in her Group G opener.
She returned to the stage in Wolverhampton in the weekend’s final session but was defeated 5-3 by Ryan Joyce despite taking the first two legs.
The 28-year-old hit finishes of 64 and 72 to move in front but went on to miss nine darts at the outer ring in the third leg, allowing Joyce time to peg double eight.
This proved to be the turning point in the match with Joyce burying a sensational 110 checkout to level the scores before taking control of the contest.
Transgender star Noa-Lynn van Leuven suffered her second straight Grand Slam of Darts loss
Ryan Joyce emerged a 5-3 winner despite losing the first two legs in Wolverhampton
Van Leuven, who has also qualified for the World Championship next month, was audibly jeered during her whitewash 5-0 loss to Van Gerwen.
Sections of the crowd booed her as she made her way to the stage and the hostilities continued throughout the first leg before eventually quietening.
Speaking afterward, Van Gerwen advised her to block out the spectators.
‘It was a difficult game. It was still tough. It’s always going to be a big debate,’ he said. ‘You could also hear the crowd and everything. What can you do?
‘Crowd. Her game. The situation. Mentally I was good today. You have to deal with certain circumstances and I did.
‘I’ve been in her situation multiple times. I’ve been booed.
‘You have to block things like that out.’
Van Leuven previously revealed she almost quit the sport due to feeling depressed.
Van Leuven became the first trans player to compete against men in a televised PC tournament
Michael van Gerwen advised Van Leuven to ignore the crowd after she was loudly jeered
Her appearances in women’s competition has been met with a backlash, with Deta Hedman withdrawing from World Darts Federation events to avoid facing her.
In response to the furore, Van Leuven described some of her female opponents as ‘toxic b*******’ because of their behaviour.
Van Leuven will round off the group phase against Gary Anderson on Monday.
