Jakko Jan Leeuwangh

Jakko Jan Leeuwangh (born September 9, 1972 in Alkmaar) is a former speed skater from the Netherlands. He finished fourth in the 1998 Olympic 1,000 m event. The highlight of his career was riding a world record at the 1,500 meters, in 2000 in Calgary. At that time, when he was coached by Peter Mueller, Leeuwangh skated 1.45,56, improving Ådne Søndråls world record of 1.46,43. It took more than a year before the Korean Kyu-Hyouk Lee beat Leeuwangh’s time.Due to being ill with mononucleosis he was not able to qualify for the 2002 Winter Olympics. After failing to qualify for the 2003 World Championship sprint, he announced his retirement from top speed skating.

Currently Leeuwangh is an assistant-coach of Jac Orie at the PostcodeLoterij Speedskating Team. Leeuwangh's main task is to train the skaters who do not qualify for the big speedskating events.

Personal Records

* 500 m, 35.37, 20-Feb-1999, Calgary
* 1000 m, 1.09.31, 30-Jan-2000, Calgary
* 1500 m, 1.45.56, 29-Jan-2000, Calgary
* 3000 m, 3.49.61, 14-Aug-1999, Calgary

Results

* 1992 World Junior Speedskating Championships, 3rd place
* 1995 World Sprint Championships, 18th place
* 1996 World Sprint Championships, 20th place
* 1998 World Sprint Championships, 7th place
* 1999 World Sprint Championships, 4th place
* 2000 World Sprint Championships, 6th place
* 1996 World Single Distance Championships, 500 m (19th), 1000 m (18th)
* 1998 World Single Distance Championships, 500 m (13th), 1000 m (6th)
* 1999 World Single Distance Championships, 500 m (3rd), 1000 m (3rd)
* 2000 World Single Distance Championships, 1000 m (9th), 1500 m (6th)
* 1998 Olympic Winter Games, 500 m (21st), 1000 m (4th)

Medals : 0 gold, 0 silver, 3 bronze

kated World Records

1500 m, 1.45.56, 29-Jan-2000, Calgary

Trivia

During his professional skating career, Leeuwangh was easily recognizable by his dyed hair, often featuring a bright, very artificial looking red.