Jutta Leerdam and Jake Paul burst into tears after the Netherlands speed skating star won gold in the Women’s 1000m at the Winter Olympics.
Leerdam, 27, who engaged to YouTube-turned-boxing sensation Paul, was among the medal favourites heading into the final at the Milan venue on Monday.
And, with her fiancee Paul in attendance, Leerdam produced a sensational performance on the ice to win her first-ever Olympic Gold with a world record time of 1:12.31.
Dutch teammate Femke Kok claimed silver with 1:12.59, while Miho Tagaki, who set the Olympic record while winning this event in 2022, took bronze with 1:13.95.
After Leerdam crossed the line in first, she took her glasses and pulled her suit down and there was visible tears in her eyes as she realised the scale of her achievements.
Cameras then panned to the crowd to see Paul, 29, also in tears and emotional as he witnessed his fiance beat stiff competition to win a gold medal at her second Olympic Games.
Leerdam claimed silver in the Women’s 1000m in Beijing four years ago. She narrowly missed out on gold to Tagaki at the time, with Brittany Bowe finishing in the bronze medal place.
But Leerdam managed to go one better this time around.
Leerdam and Paul became Instagram official in 2023 and she has supported him at his fights, cheering him on from his crowd. Two years later, they got engaged in March 2025.
She’s also been super supportive of his move into boxing, writing this on Instagram: « You inspire me so much with your work ethic, the way you think big, and your crazy determination. You are special @jakepaul. My champion. »
A five-time world champion, Leerdam is set to compete in the 500m next Sunday. She will be looking to add her second Olympic Gold to her total.
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