Jake Paul Overwhelmed with Emotion as Fiancée Jutta Leerdam Claims Olympic Gold
In a moment that captured the hearts of many, Jake Paul was visibly emotional as he cheered for his fiancée, Jutta Leerdam, who clinched the gold medal in the women’s 1,000 meter speed skating event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Seated in the second row, Paul, 29, watched intently as Leerdam, 27, shattered the Olympic record with a stunning time of 1:12.31. Cameras zoomed in on him as tears streamed down his face during her triumphant celebration for the Netherlands.
Earlier that day, Paul took to X to express his unwavering support for Leerdam, stating, “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.” He accompanied the message with a heartfelt photo of them holding hands.
Post-competition, Paul returned to X, candidly sharing his emotional state: “Juttttttttttaaaaaaaa. I can’t stop crying. You did it my love. Olympic Gold. God is great and so are you.”
The couple’s journey began in 2022 through Instagram, with their relationship becoming public in April 2023. They announced their engagement in March 2025, with Paul sharing on Instagram, “We’re engaged💖💍🤗we can’t wait to spend forever together🥰.”
Reflecting on their unexpected romance, Leerdam remarked in the 2024 documentary Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson, “I never, ever expected to date him, like never. Of course, I didn’t know a lot about him. I could only scroll on his Instagram and form an opinion like the whole world does. But he is the complete opposite.”
Throughout her Olympic journey, Paul has been a steadfast presence, especially during a challenging December qualifying race where Leerdam suffered a significant fall that jeopardized her Olympic aspirations.
“It’s really, really hard. And I know this is her whole life. Her whole dream. And everything she’s worked so hard for. My heart is broken,” he expressed to reporters at that time. “This sport is so bizarre. She could just show up at the starting line and go again. And she had such a fast opening.”
Leerdam left the ice in tears after her fall, stating, “I don’t even know what happened. It felt like I was standing on something. I just completely slid away. I’m skating so well in practice and I was so excited.”
In January, reflecting on her journey to the Olympic team, she wrote, “See you in Milan for the 500 & 1000m!!! ❤️✨,” alongside a photo of herself on the ice with the Olympic rings behind her. “After my fall in the 1000m, I refocused, bounced back and qualified for the 500m. Only nine Dutch women in total can qualify for the Games. I was one of the nine through my 500m.”
She added, “With one spot on the 1000m still available, the KNSB decided to add me to the 1000m! 🙏 What makes me happiest is that this decision doesn’t affect any other woman in the process.”
“So grateful that everything worked out. Milan, here we come. 🥰✨,” Leerdam concluded.
The Milan Cortina Games mark Leerdam’s second Olympic appearance after winning silver in the same event four years ago in Beijing. This season, she also triumphed in three out of four World Cup races she participated in for the event.
