British darts star Deta Hedman fought back tears in a candid discussion with GB News’ Nana Akua as she spoke out on her decision to refuse facing a trans woman.
Hedman recently refuted suggestions that she pulled out of the Denmark Open to protect her ranking points.
It was previously suggested that she pulled out through illness, but Hedman confirmed on GB News that this was not the case.
She told Nana Akua that she and her fellow competitors have raised concerns in the past about facing trans players.
At the aforementioned tournament, Hedman went and spoke to the tour director to relay concerns, a conversation she tells Nana left her heartbroken.
“I went to have a word with the tournament director”, she said.
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“I wanted to have a private conversation. It was just me and the tournament director.
“I explained to him that I can’t do it, I can’t cope. I’m just breaking down right now. I dissolve into pieces.”
Asked about the implications that have arisen from her refusing to play the match, Hedman said that her opponent, Noa-Lynn van Leuven, emerged victorious.
“I am fighting for the girls out there that won’t have the opportunity”, she said.
“If we leave it and bury our heads in the sand, there won’t be anything for young women and young girls to aspire to.
“That’s one of the things that I feel strongly about because I’ve felt for young girls in the world championship.
“It has been two years now, if we continue allowing this to happen, who’s to say that young boys won’t decide to start playing with young girls.”
Some have argued that with darts not being a physical sport, trans women should be allowed to compete in order to encourage inclusion.
But Hedman feels this is too simplistic an argument and lacks appreciation for the travails of a biological woman.
“I’ve sat there and seen girls and women doubled up in pain from periods”, she said.
“A trans female won’t have that. I go through the menopause and trans women won’t have that.
“They seem to dismiss what a natural born woman goes through.”
A World Darts Federation statement reads: “The WDF believes in equal opportunity for all people to participate in the sport of darts, as athletes, coaches, officials, staff and other volunteers.
“However, in instances where a transgender individual wishes to compete, the WDF will consider eligibility guidelines to ensure a fair and level playing field for all participants.”
