British darts star Deta Hedman reignites trans players row in lengthy Facebook post as she insists on lower testosterone levels for entering female events… weeks after she forfeited match in Denmark over issue

Deta Hedman has spoken out again about trans players competing in female darts events, insisting a 'compromise' needs to be reached to create a 'fair and level playing field'.

Hedman, 64, a three-time World Championship finalist, hit the headlines in May when she forfeited a match at the Denmark Open after refusing to take to the oche to face trans player Noa-Lynn van Leuven.

She defended her controversial decision by telling German outlet Bild: 'I'm not playing against a man in a women's event'.

After winning the Women's World Matchplay on Sunday, Beau Greaves insisted that it is 'silly' to expect females to be able to compete at the same level as men such as Luke Littler, and revealed she will be declining the opportunity to face men at the World Championship later this year.

Hedman has now weighed in on the subject and brought trans players into the equation, claiming they should not be allowed to play against women until they have lowered their testosterone levels.

In a lengthy statement posted on Facebook, Hedman explained that she attended a presentation night in Rochester over the weekend and was asked about her stance on trans players, to which she responded: 'I have no issues with Trans but they should play in an open section IMO.

She continued: 'I questioned why it is that the rule makers in IOC, WDF and DRA are predominantly men, they totally disregard the many and varied problems unique to women, menstrual, peri menopause, fibroids, Endometriosis, with symptoms varying from stomach cramps, brain fog, bleeding, headaches/migraine, hot intense flushes etc.

'All these problems are ignored, and considered that they don't affect your performance in a precision sport like darts.

'Add to that the ridiculous testosterone levels set for a trans to play in Women's darts! If they achieve a level of 9.9mnol/L they can play, the normal range of women is between 0.5-2.4mnol/L, I myself have tested at 1.2.

'To make this even more ridiculous 5 African women born with Vaginas but had varied organs including inner testicles were banned from sport as their testosterone levels were too high , they were told they had to reduce their levels not to 10mnol/L ( the level a trans can compete in sport) but to 5mnol/L , so athletes born as a woman to compete had to be half the level of a biological male who would compete in women's sports. 

'All I want is to compete in darts on a fair and level playing field. As been stated by many studies around the world you can have inclusivity in women's sport or you can have fairness in Women's sports ! YOU CANNOT HAVE BOTH.

'Why don't the WDF and DRA as a compromise drop the testosterone limit to the above high end of Women and set it as 3mnol/L, they would still have the skeletal advantages of going through puberty as a Male but at least their levels would be at a similar level to some of the women.'

Hedman also gave her take on why women should not be expected to compete at the same level as men by using data from the recent World Matchplay, as she outlined why she believes females will always be at a disadvantage.

'Constantly we are being told no reason why men and ladies can't play at the same level,' she wrote.

'Chizzy (Dave Chisnall) had lowest average of the 32 men with an 85.76 Ave, 5 men had 100+ tournament, Ave 23 had a 90+, and 4 had Ave of 85-89.

'In ladies only Beau beat Chizzy's Ave, and Mikuru only one to have an 80+ running Ave.

'The range of the 8 ladies in the event was 63.25 to 88.53 , the men's was 85.76-102.04.

'Dr Linda Duffy has shown studies that back up the science that men have over women in darts , including Shoulder and elbow formations that are different in men who have been through puberty.'

Women have competed against men on the biggest stage in darts before, most notably back in the 2020 World Championship when Fallon Sherrock won two matches before being knocked out in the third round.

She has not won in any of her appearances since, while Greaves was also beaten in her maiden appearance at the 2023 tournament.

Greaves turned down her place at last year's event, and has vowed to do the same again this year, while Hedman has made it clear she has no intention of competing against men or trans players moving forward.