Noa-Lynn Leuven Wiki, Bio, Networth, BF, Husband, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Noa-Lynn Leuven

Noa-Lynn van Leuven is a Dutch professional darts player who has made history in the sport. She is recognized as the first openly transgender person to compete in a televised darts tournament and the first to participate in the prestigious PDC World Darts Championship, making her debut in the 2025 event. Van Leuven has quickly risen through the ranks, securing multiple titles on the PDC Women’s Series and a notable victory on the PDC Challenge Tour. Her presence in the sport has sparked conversations and debates, making her a significant and pioneering figure in the world of professional darts. Beyond her athletic achievements, she is known for her resilience and for bringing visibility to the transgender community within sports.

Noa-Lynn Leuven Overview

Early Life and Education of Noa-Lynn Leuven

Born on September 27, 1996, in Beverwijk, Netherlands, Noa-Lynn van Leuven grew up in Heemskerk. Her introduction to the world of darts came at a young age, as she would often watch her parents play in a local pub. This early exposure sparked her interest, and by the age of 12, she was competing in local tournaments. However, her teenage years were marked by personal struggles. Around the age of 16, she began contemplating her gender identity. The internal turmoil and unhappiness she experienced led to a period of depression, and she temporarily stepped away from darts for several years as she focused on her personal journey. Van Leuven has spoken about this difficult period, stating that she “wouldn’t be here” if not for her transition. The process of transitioning took time, involving extensive meetings with psychologists. After her transition, she rediscovered her passion for darts, finding that her newfound happiness positively impacted her performance. Alongside her burgeoning darts career, she also works as a chef de partie.

Noa-Lynn Leuven’s Career

Noa-Lynn van Leuven’s professional darts career has been marked by rapid success and historic milestones. After rediscovering her love for the sport following her transition, she made her debut in the PDC Women’s Series in 2022 after passing stringent transitioning tests. In her debut year, she showcased her potential by reaching the quarter-finals in two events. The following year, she reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Dutch Open. Her breakthrough continued into 2024, a year that saw her make significant strides. She once again reached the semi-finals of the Dutch Open and made history by winning a PDC Challenge Tour event on her debut, becoming the first woman to do so.

Her performance on the 2024 PDC Women’s Series was exceptional, where she claimed multiple titles. A particularly notable victory came in October 2024, when she defeated the women’s number one, Beau Greaves, in a final where she set a record Women’s Series average of 109.64. This victory was pivotal as it secured her qualification for the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, making her the first transgender woman to compete at the prestigious Alexandra Palace event. She also qualified for the 2024 Grand Slam of Darts. In her World Championship debut, she lost to Kevin Doets in the first round but won the opening set, demonstrating her capability on the biggest stage. Van Leuven’s career is not just defined by her wins but by the barriers she has broken as a transgender athlete in a high-profile sport.

Noa-Lynn Leuven Personal Life & Family

Noa-Lynn van Leuven has been relatively private about her family and personal relationships. It is known that her parents were supportive during her transition. She first confided in her mother, followed by her sister and then her father. Van Leuven began considering her transition around the age of 16 or 17 and has spoken openly about the mental health struggles she faced before, including depression and suicidal thoughts, emphasizing that transitioning was a life-saving decision. The journey involved a significant waiting period for healthcare appointments in the Netherlands.

She has shared that before her transition, she was deeply unhappy, which negatively affected her darts performance. After transitioning and finding personal happiness, she was able to excel in the sport she loves. Beyond darts, she leads a demanding life working as a chef de partie in a kitchen, which involves long hours. The intense public scrutiny and online abuse she has faced due to her identity have taken a toll on her mental health, causing anxiety and leading her to take a temporary break from the sport. Despite the challenges, she finds purpose in being a visible role model for other transgender individuals.

Awards and Achievements of Noa-Lynn Leuven

• PDC Women’s Series Titles (6 as of late 2024/early 2025)
• PDC Challenge Tour Title (2024)
• Belgium Open (2023)
• Denmark Open (2023)
• Malta Masters (2023)
• Malta Open (2023)
• WDF Europe Cup Gold Medals (Women’s pairs, Women’s team, Women’s overall – 2024)
• First openly transgender person to compete in a televised PDC tournament
• First openly transgender person to compete at the PDC World Darts Championship (2025)
• Holder of the record for the highest average on the PDC Women’s Series (109.64)

Noa-Lynn Leuven Net Worth and Income

Information regarding Noa-Lynn Leuven’s specific net worth is not publicly available. Her income is primarily derived from her career as a professional darts player. This includes prize money from participating in and winning tournaments on the PDC Women’s Series and the PDC Challenge Tour. Additionally, like many professional athletes, she may have income from sponsorships, although specific details are not widely publicized. Outside of darts, she also works as a chef de partie, which contributes to her overall income. As her career progresses and she continues to compete in high-profile events, her earnings from darts are likely to increase.

Legacy and Influence

Noa-Lynn van Leuven’s legacy is already significant, extending far beyond her accomplishments on the oche. As the first openly transgender woman to compete in major PDC events like the Grand Slam of Darts and the World Darts Championship, she has shattered barriers and become a trailblazer in the sport. Her presence has forced a conversation about transgender inclusion in sports, both within the darts community and in the wider public sphere. While her participation has been met with both support and controversy, she has handled the intense scrutiny with resilience.

Her influence is particularly profound for the transgender community, for whom she has become a visible and inspiring figure. By competing at the highest level, she challenges misconceptions and demonstrates that transgender athletes can compete and succeed. Leading male players, including world champions, have voiced their support, emphasizing that she adheres to all the rules set by the PDC. Despite facing bans from other organizations like the WDF, she remains committed to her career in the PDC, viewing her visibility as crucial for advancing acceptance and understanding. Her journey has highlighted the complexities of gender identity in sport and is paving the way for future generations of athletes.

Interesting Facts about Noa-Lynn Leuven

• Before pursuing a professional career in darts, she worked and continues to work as a chef de partie.
• She began playing darts at the age of 12, inspired by watching her parents play.
• Her walk-on music at darts events is “Euphoria” by Loreen.
• She holds the record for the highest-ever average in a PDC Women’s Series match, an impressive 109.64.
• Van Leuven made history as the first woman to win a PDC Challenge Tour event.
• She took a break from darts for several years during her transition, as she was not enjoying the sport due to personal unhappiness.
• She uses 24g Cosmo darts.

Controversies

Noa-Lynn van Leuven’s career has been accompanied by significant controversy regarding her participation in women’s darts as a transgender woman. Her inclusion has sparked a debate about fairness and biological advantage in the sport. This led to several high-profile incidents, including fellow Dutch national team players Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf resigning in protest of her inclusion in the team. Another prominent player, Deta Hedman, has been an outspoken critic and has forfeited matches against van Leuven, stating she “wouldn’t play a man in a woman’s event.”

These events have subjected van Leuven to intense public scrutiny and significant online abuse, including death threats, which have negatively impacted her mental health. In response to the growing debate, the World Darts Federation (WDF) changed its eligibility criteria in mid-2025, effectively banning transgender women from competing in their women’s events by restricting them to those assigned female at birth. However, the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) has maintained its policy, which allows her to compete as long as she meets their medical requirements regarding testosterone levels. The PDC’s chief executive has defended their policy as fair. Van Leuven has consistently stated that she did not transition to gain an advantage in sports and has spoken of the years of difficulty she endured to become her authentic self.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram – Follower count not consistently available.
• Twitter – Not publicly available.
• YouTube – No official channel.

Final Words about Noa-Lynn Leuven

Noa-Lynn van Leuven stands as a pivotal and courageous figure in modern professional darts. Her journey is one of remarkable personal resilience and groundbreaking athletic achievement. While her primary focus is on competing and excelling in the sport she loves, her identity as a transgender woman has placed her at the center of a complex and often contentious global conversation about inclusion in sports. Despite facing hostility and policy changes from some governing bodies, she continues to compete at the highest level within the PDC, supported by their inclusive rules. Her success on the Women’s Series and her historic appearance at the PDC World Darts Championship have not only solidified her status as a top player but also as an influential trailblazer. Noa-Lynn van Leuven’s ongoing career will undoubtedly continue to be closely watched, both for her performance at the oche and for her enduring impact on the landscape of professional sports.