Jake Paul’s fiancée, Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam, is ‘hyper focused’ on securing her first-career Olympic gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026 in February
Jake Paul is engaged to Dutch speed skater Jutta Leerdam(Image: Getty Images)
Jake Paul’s fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, is “hyper focused” on accomplishing one elusive achievement in her already decorated speed skating career.
On Friday, Leerdam will likely be on hand at the Kaseya Center to support Paul as the YouTuber-turned-boxer steps into the ring with Anthony Joshua. Ahead of the highly anticipated bout, the two-time unified heavyweight champion threatened to “break” his opponent’s face and “stomp” on him.
Following the massive Netflix showdown, Leerdam will swiftly resume her rigorous training regimen for Milano Cortina 2026, which is slated to take place from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22. The Dutch seven-time world champion in speed skating is still in search of her first Olympic gold medal, having settled for silver in the women’s 1000m at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
READ MORE: Terry Bradshaw alarmingly can’t finish FOX NFL Sunday segment as colleague forced to step inREAD MORE: NFL fans rage over ‘worst touchdown call ever’ as explanation greeted with rigged calls
“I’ve already achieved so many things. Dutch titles make me incredibly happy, but there’s one thing I still need: Olympic gold,” Leerdam told NOS back in October. “I’m so hyper-focused on one competition. When I’m there, it can suddenly go really well, even though it hasn’t quite worked out all year.”
Though Leerdam hasn’t performed up to her own high standards in 2025, the 26-year-old expressed confidence that a series of upcoming events would provide the perfect lead-up to the 2026 Olympics.
“I’m not someone who immediately hits the ground running. I’ve never been that way,” she explained. “I need time to find the timing and feel for the ice. When I have that, I can release my strength, and beautiful things can happen.
“Progressing to the Games — that’s the goal. I don’t know why, but it’s something special I can do. That little bit extra gives me confidence. When the pressure is on, I just skate faster.
Leerdam is a seven-time world champion in speed skating(Image: Getty Images)
“I always put pressure on myself and want to make progress every time, which isn’t easy. But I’m looking forward to progressing to the Games with that high pressure.”
Despite ranking as one of the best 500m and 1000m speed skaters in the world, Leerdam has been hampered at times by a nagging left ankle injury. The health setback reared its ugly head once again at the 2025 ISU World Speed Skating Single Distances Championships, where she claimed silver and bronze in the 500m and 1000m, respectively.
Entering the Milano Cortina 2026, however, Leerdam asserted that she is back to full strength. “It was so frustrating. I couldn’t put my finger on what it was exactly, but it had such an effect on my feeling,” she said. “I don’t have that this season. That’s so good. I’m looking forward to it positively.”
Leerdam’s unrelenting pursuit of greatness has worn off on Paul, who uses his partner as motivation in his own endeavors. “She works incredibly hard, year-round,” he said on his reality show, ‘American Paul.’
READ MORE: Anthony Joshua names exact shot he plans to KO Jake Paul withREAD MORE: Jake Paul predicts exact round he will knock out Anthony Joshua
“With boxing, you take breaks every now and then, but seeing her train nonstop inspires me to work when other boxers would be resting.”
If all goes according to plan for the couple, Paul revealed that he and Leerdam intend to focus more on their lives outside of sport. “The plan is this: Jutta wins gold in 2026. I become world boxing champion,” he said.
“Then Jutta retires from skating, and after that, we’ll have children and start a family.”
