Decisions are never easy to make, and with it resulting not in favor can either make or break things. For skater Jutta Leerdam, a similar turn of events was faced following her recent visit to the US in support of her boyfriend before an important competition of her career. Prioritizing not her career but her boyfriend Jake Paul, a renowned name in the wrestling industry, Jutta’s career is now walking on thin ice.

Putting their career at risk, her underperformance at the World Cup Speed Skating held in Nagano has come as a devastating loss experienced after winning the 1000m world title in 2023. Interestingly for her rivals, the loss, however, came as the biggest shock than their success coming specifically from a competitor. Setting up a record of 38.28, Jutta Leerdam’s performance failed to have a good start, which resulted in a disastrous loss for a player like her.

Dione Voskamp was shocked by Leerdam’s performance

With a record of 37.84, Dione Voskamp now donned the 2024 World Cup Speed Skating Championship second-place medal in the 500m individual category, defeating her competitor and second cousin, Jutta Leerdam. Coming as a surprise, the success came as a dream come true for the champion, but on the other hand, it was a shock for Leerdam. “It was a cool crossing with Leerdam, but I was a bit shocked. Because she came in front of me when exiting the bend and then next to me. That was a bit of a distraction.” Claiming her to be much ahead in the competition at the start, the final result was an unexpected one.

Finishing 13th, Leerdam’s disappointing performance after becoming the best Dutch skater in the first competition and being ahead of Voskamp was an unexpected turn of events seen at the finale. Winning her first individual title at the European Championships of 2020, the six-time world champion turnover comes with a big loss experienced in her career since turning professional in 2018. Jutta Leerdam’s career now remains in doubt with a much attention-seeking incident before the World Cup.

Jutta Leerdam hindering priorities with skating

It seems that with the ongoing social media attention, the speed skater is unable to balance her personal and professional life. Coming out public with her relationship with popular wrestler Jake Paul last year, Leerdam has spent most of her time in the U.S. in support of her boyfriend. With over 4.5 million followers, questions have been raising about the shifting prioritization of her wrestling career. Fans have come out with concerns over her already emerging career coming to a downfall following her recent travel to the U.S. instead of preparing for the World Cup.

Accepting the comments herself, the devastating loss experienced at the World Cup comes with Leerdam’s incorrect decision to travel to the U.S. just weeks before the competition instead of training, which comes into prominence. Holding big expectations for the win, the loss comes in terms of lack of speed, as reflected by Leerdam in a post-match interview. “I was closer to gold yesterday than expected. I think I’m at 75 or 80 per cent. The speed is still lacking.” Undergoing such a disastrous experience, the speed sprinter now holds aspirations of competing in the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Taking back to her initial stage, the speed skater is currently training extensively under coach Kosta Poltavets, with whom she has previously trained as part of Team Worldstream.