Darts star Deta Hedman 'blown away' by support from fans after refusing to play transgender woman

"One good thing is that several high profile media now want to hear Women's views on the subject. Will try my best to get message across," she wrote on social media

By Nicholas Ballasy

Published: May 8, 2024 10:33am

Updated: May 8, 2024 10:39am

British female darts player Deta Hedman thanked her fans for their support after she refused to compete against transgender opponent Noa-Lynn van Leuven.

Hedman decided to forfeit the match.

"Absolutely blown away by the best wishes from around the world I received," Hedman wrote on her X account on Tuesday.

"One good thing is that several high profile media now want to hear Women's views on the subject. Will try my best to get message across," she added, tagging the SaveWSports account on X.

After she declined to compete against van Leuven, Hedman clarified on X that she did not make the decision because of an illness, which some had speculated.

“This subject [is] causing much angst in the sport I love. People can be whoever they want in life, but I don’t think biological-born men should compete in women’s sport," she wrote.