Feb 17, 2024 at 10:35 PM Update: 2 days ago
Jutta Leerdam missed out on the world title in the 1,000 meters in Calgary on Saturday. The South Holland native finished with the bronze following a difficult preparation. The gold went to Miho Takagi (1.12.83).
Leerdam clocked 1.13.28. She entered her final round with a small lead over Takagi’s schedule, but she was unable to maintain that lead. The silver went to Mei Han by a minimal margin. The Chinese was one hundredth faster than Leerdam.
In the run-up to the World Cup, the most important tournament of this season, Leerdam was struggling with ankle complaints. The cause of this is not entirely clear. In addition, the Olympic silver medalist has also struggled with sad private circumstances in recent months.
Due to her ankle complaints and the situation outside the hall, Leerdam was suddenly no longer supreme this season at the distance that she dominated last season. Then she won all her rides on the 1,000 meters, including at the World Championships in Thialf. She also won the world title in the 1,000 meters in 2020.
Jutta Leerdam’s emotions following the race. Photo: Pro Shots
Takagi finally has individual world title
For 29-year-old Takagi, it is her first individual world title ever. The Japanese has previously won gold three times with the pursuit team and she became Olympic champion in the 1,000 meters exactly two years ago. Then Leerdam captured the silver.
Behind Takagi, Han and Leerdam, Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong finished just off the podium in the Olympic stadium in Calgary on Saturday. She rode exactly her personal record (1.13.61) and came fourth. Isabel Grevelt finished sixth with 1.13.92.
The World Championship distances started on Thursday and will last until Sunday. In addition to Leerdam, Kjeld Nuis also won a medal on Friday. He rode to bronze in the 1,000 meters three weeks following his fall in Salt Lake City. The gold went to phenomenon Jordan Stolz.
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