Jutta Leerdam achieved exactly what she set out to do in Milan.
On Monday afternoon, the Dutch speed skater dazzled the audience by setting a new Olympic record and clinching the gold medal with a remarkable time of 1:12.31 in the women’s 1,000-meter speed skating final.
Competing in the last heat of the event, Leerdam faced off against Miho Takagi of Japan, who was the reigning Olympic and world champion. However, Leerdam’s impressive performance pushed Takagi to third place.
After her victory, an emotional Leerdam skated around the track, waving to the crowd as tears of joy filled her eyes. Among the spectators was her fiancé, Jake Paul, visibly moved by her achievement.
Just before Leerdam’s stunning finish, fellow Dutch competitor Femke Kok had set the pace with a leading time of 1:12.59. Close behind her was Team USA’s Brittany Bowe, who completed her run in 1:14.55.
Their performances overshadowed the earlier mark set by American Erin Jackson, who finished with a time of 1:15.00, just two pairs before this decisive final stretch.
Bowe was later robbed of the bronze by Takagi.
Leerdam had been waiting for this moment since winning silver in the women’s 1,000 meter race at the 2022 Beijing Games. She trailed Takagi that year and Bowe placed third.
Paul showed some pre-race encouragement to his fiancé, writing “Today is your day baby. You’ve worked your whole life for this. We all love and support you so much go get em champ” on X along with a photo of the couple holding hands.
The couple have been together since 2022 after they met each other through Instagram.
