In 2024, the Dutch player made history as the first openly transgender woman to feature at the PDC World Darts Championship, and she has since claimed six Women’s Series titles on the PDC circuit.
However, the DRA has confirmed that from April 2026, entry into women’s events it governs will be restricted to biological females. In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Van Leuven said she was informed of the decision via email and described herself as effectively “retired.”
“I just got an email—apparently I’ve been retired,” she said. “Not by choice, but because I’m no longer allowed to compete. The DRA has decided that trans women are no longer allowed in women’s events, which basically means I’m out.
“I’ve worked so hard for years to get here. I showed up, I competed, I respected the sport every single day. And now, with one decision, I’m being told I don’t belong anymore.”
She also pointed to a similar move by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which plans to restrict women’s Olympic categories to biological females from 2028.
“This isn’t just about me—this is another huge hit for the trans community,” she added. “Every day it’s getting harder for trans people to exist and compete. If you think it stops with me, it doesn’t. I just want to be.”
In the caption of her post, Van Leuven wrote: “On the inside I’m crying. The fluoxetine just hides it. Not my choice. Not just my story. This isn’t the end. I’m just going back to the drawing board. I’m not done fighting.”
Despite the change, she will still be eligible to compete in open events, including the World Championship. The DRA’s updated policy follows a review process that included legal consultation and a report by developmental biologist Emma Hilton, which argued that even small physical differences can give biological males an advantage in darts.
The issue has already sparked division within the sport. In 2024, Dutch players Aileen de Graaf and Anca Zijlstra stepped away from the national women’s team, citing their opposition to competing alongside Van Leuven. Zijlstra wrote on social media that she felt it was time to leave when she was no longer comfortable being part of the team under those circumstances.
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