Noa-Lynn van Leuven booed as trans darts player takes to Grand Slam stage to face Michael van Gerwen
WATCH NOW: GB News sports round-up
Noa-Lynn van Leuven was booed at the Aldersley Leisure Centre, Wolverhampton, as she walked to the stage in the opening match of the Grand Slam of Darts.
Making history as the first trans darts player, Van Leuven faced one of the world's best in Michael van Gerwen.
With both walking to the stage together, there were audible boos inside the venue directed at Van Leuven before reaching the oche.
Prior to the match getting underway, the Green Machine had launched a staunch defence of the trans player.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven was booed at the Aldersley Leisure Centre
GETTY/PA
He told AD.nl: "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."
Van Gerwen made light work of his compatriot, thrashing Van Leuven in a 5-0 demoltion to move to the top of his Grand Slam group.
Van Leuven could not land a glove on the Dutchman, who has won the competition three times in his career.
After claiming the win, the crowd cheered for MVG, who celebrated with a customary fist bump before crushing a can of water.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven was thrashed 5-0 by Michael van Gerwen
PDC
Before a dart had been thrown, Van Gerwen said: "People do ask for my opinion, but this is none of my business, is it? You have to let everyone have their own value.
"Where someone comes from? What someone looks like? What difference does that make? Even if you're from Pluto.
"Of course people are allowed to have a different opinion, but I don't understand why people get so angry about it.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
🟢⚫MVG IN WOLVERHAMPTON!
— MODUS Sports (@ModusDarts180) November 9, 2024
Michael van Gerwen begins his quest for a fourth Grand Slam title, as he faces Noa-Lynn van Leuven in his first group match. pic.twitter.com/K7yo6C7xZc
"I think there are much worse things in the world to worry about."
It is the first time that Van Leuven has taken part in the World Grand Slam, being drawn in a tough group including two-time runner-up Gary Anderson and World Grand Prix semi-finalist Ryan Joyce.
You may like
