Jake Paul, Jutta Leerdam
Olympic champion Jutta Leerdam draws attention for record-breaking success on ice and engagement to boxer and influencer Jake Paul American. Instagram/Jutta Leerdam

Jutta Leerdam's rise from junior champion to Olympic gold medallist has placed her firmly at the centre of global sport and popular attention. Her triumph at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, where she set a new Olympic record in the women's 1000 metres, confirmed her status as a dominant force in speed skating.

While Leerdam's athletic achievement speak for themselves, her personal life has also drawn attention. Fans who have recently learned that she is engaged to American social media personality and boxer Jake Paul have also pushed her name up the search charts. For once, it is Paul who finds himself in the supporting role, as Leerdam's success captures headlines worldwide.

Who Is Jutta Leerdam

Jutta Monica Leerdam, born on 30 December 1998, is a Dutch speed skater who competes in long-track sprint events. She specialises in the 500 metres and 1000 metres, disciplines that have defined her senior career.

Leerdam's rise began at the 2017 World Junior Championships in Helsinki, Finland, where she claimed the junior world title. One year later, she finished second at the 2018 Championships in Salt Lake City, United States, behind fellow Dutch skater Joy Beune. During the 2017–18 season, she won the ISU Junior World Cup titles in the 1000m and 1500m and also claimed the Dutch junior sprint title.

In 2018, Leerdam turned professional and joined Team IKO. Her transition to senior competition was marked by consistent results across international events. These early seasons laid the foundation for her later world and Olympic achievements.

After several seasons with Team IKO, Leerdam joined Team Jumbo-Visma in 2022. She signed a contract with the team that ran until 2024.

Olympic Record And Gold Medal

Leerdam's Olympic breakthrough came at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where she won silver in the women's 1000 metres. Four years later, she returned to the same event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics and claimed gold with a record-breaking time of 1:12.31. Her performance not only secured victory but also set a new Olympic benchmark, surpassing the previous record set by teammate Femke Kok just moments earlier. Japan's Miho Takagi, the defending 2022 champion, took bronze.

Education And Background

Leerdam was named after German windsurfing world champion Jutta Müller by her father, who was a keen windsurfing enthusiast. Alongside her sporting career, she studies commercial economics at the Johan Cruyff Academy, part of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen. Sporting excellence runs in the family: her second cousin, Dione Voskamp, is also a competitive speed skater.

Personal Life And Public Attention

From 2017 to 2022, Leerdam was in a relationship with Dutch speed skater Koen Verweij. In 2023, she began dating Jake Paul, the American social media personality, professional boxer, and entrepreneur. He first became known through online video platforms before moving into mainstream entertainment and combat sports. Paul has since built a boxing career, competing in high-profile bouts that draw significant media attention. He is also known for his business ventures and strong presence across social media platforms.

The couple publicly confirmed their relationship on 3 April 2023 after connecting months earlier.On 22 March 2025, Leerdam and Paul announced their engagement on Instagram.