Monaghan to become first transgender woman to compete at World Championship: "It's a little tarnished with a few of the comments that were made"

Victoria Monaghan won the New Zealand Open title late last month but there was uproar on certain sections of social media as well as in the crowd at the tournament.

Monaghan before transitioning to female was a steady player on the DPNZ Tour but will now become the first transgender woman to compete in a World Championship at the Lakeside next year after sealing the title.

In playing on the Ladies' Tour, she had to satisfy the WDF Transgender policy despite initially being told she could not play in darts competitions prior and that pressure was there for Monaghan due to the opinions of others on the situation.

"There was an added pressure there. Being who I am, it made it a little bit more difficult, because there were a few voiced opinions there not believing that I should be there," she said as reported by RNZ.

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It is starting to sink in for Monaghan who was born in the UK and played at the same club as 'Rapid' Ricky Evans before meeting a Kiwi and moving over to New Zealand and it will be the realisation of a dream despite the comments made.

"It's a little tarnished with a few of the comments that were made, but it's still sinking in," she added. "I don't think I've quite realised how big and significant this is.

"I guess when I get over there, it will be more of a realisation that this is a dream come true. You know, this has been a dream of mine since I was seven years old to play on the world stage. So it's huge for me."

Being heckled during the final, Monaghan was glad to beat the criticism and show mental strength in light of adversity and stay truth to who she is throughout.

"I think being truthful to yourself is the biggest thing. I am now, and I'm very happy with where I am in life."

"It's taken me a good few years for this to settle down, and accept who I am, and adjust to it as well.

"It's a massive mental game. You go through a lot of waifs and strays, you know, you have a lot of thoughts, and there's a lot of down moments and dark moments in your life.

"But if you can stay positive and true to yourself, you'll always come through on the other side."