British darts player Deta Hedman has once more decided to withdraw from a tournament rather than face a transgender opponent.
At 64, Hedman, a three-time World Championship finalist, is making headlines with her controversial stance on this issue.
Last month, Hedman made news when she pulled out of the Denmark Open quarter-finals rather than play against transgender player Noa-Lynn van Leuven.
She justified her choice to German outlet Bild, saying, “I’m not playing against a man in a women’s event.”
Her stance remains unchanged, as evidenced by her recent withdrawal from another British singles tournament.
After winning her first two matches against Patricia Roberts and Barbara Legge, she pulled out before her scheduled match against Sam Lewis, another transgender athlete.
Hedman’s Explanation
On Facebook, Hedman explained her decision, stating that much of the discussion had focused on her literacy and word choice rather than the fairness of her decision.
She noted that similar to van Leuven, Lewis is a transgender athlete who has faced challenges, including being barred from the English Darts Open due to her gender identity.
Lewis expressed disappointment at being excluded from the tournament, emphasizing that she doesn’t feel she has an advantage over women born biologically female and attributed her success to practice.
Hedman has been vocal against the rules that allow transgender women to compete in women’s events.
In a recent Facebook post, she criticized the governing bodies like the IOC, WDF, and DRA for not addressing women’s unique health issues, such as menstruation and menopause. She also pointed out the discrepancy in testosterone levels allowed for transgender women compared to those set for women born with female physiology.
Hedman suggested a compromise: lowering the testosterone limit for transgender women to better align with average female levels, which she believes would ensure a fairer competition.
Broader Controversy
The debate over transgender athletes in sports has been contentious. In March, Dutch players Anca Zijlstra and Aileen de Graaf left their national team in protest after van Leuven’s PDC Tour victory.
Hedman has emphasized that her concerns are long-standing and not tied to van Leuven’s success, distancing herself from personal attacks against trans athletes.
Overall, Hedman’s ongoing criticism reflects a broader debate about inclusivity and fairness in sports, with her latest decision underscoring her commitment to this issue.