Men
NED
Itzhak DE LAAT
NED- Date of birth13 Jun 1994
- Height1750 CM
- ProfessionArtist, Athlete, Designer
- HometownLeeuwarden
- Place of birthLeeuwarden
- Start skating / Club He began skating at age eight at Trias Shorttrack in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. / Trias Shorttrack: Leeuwarden, NED
- HobbiesDrawing, painting, music. (Instagram profile, 03 Nov 2020)
- LanguagesDutch, English
- FamliyPartner Martha de Jong
- CoachNiels Kerstholt [national], NED
- ChoreographerN/A
- Former CoachN/A
- Practice low seasonN/A
- Practice high seasonN/A
- General Interest
- Sport Specific Information
He was named the 2020 Male Short Track Athlete of the Year by the Royal Dutch Skating Federation [KNSB]. (lc.nl, 07 Sep 2020)
US golfer Tiger Woods. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)
His father. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)
He was troubled by an ankle injury during the 2022/23 season. (lc.nl, 19 Oct 2023)
He missed the 2022 World Cup event in Montreal, QC, Canada, due to laryngitis. (Instagram profile, 26 Oct 2022; omropfryslan.nl, 26 Oct 2022)
He injured his left arm and ribs after colliding with an opponent in the quarterfinals of the 1500m at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. He was taken to hospital for checks but was able to continue competing at the Games. (Instagram profile, 09 Feb 2022; schaatsen.nl, 09 Feb 2022)
He missed the 2022 World Cup event in Montreal, QC, Canada, due to laryngitis. (Instagram profile, 26 Oct 2022; omropfryslan.nl, 26 Oct 2022)
He injured his left arm and ribs after colliding with an opponent in the quarterfinals of the 1500m at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. He was taken to hospital for checks but was able to continue competing at the Games. (Instagram profile, 09 Feb 2022; schaatsen.nl, 09 Feb 2022)
To win a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games. (comebacksports.nl, 28 Jul 2020)
EXPERIENCED SKATER
He made his World Cup debut for the Netherlands in 2011, and hopes to continue competing until at least the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. "I've been going for a while, I skated my first World Cup when I was 16. That was already 10 years ago [speaking in 2021]. Sometimes I don't realise how long I've been around. When [Dutch short track skaters] Daan Breeuwsma and Sjinkie Knegt are gone, I will suddenly be the oldest. I still have growth potential. That's why I don't feel like I'm getting older. [After the 2026 Olympic Winter Games] I will be 31 and will have had three Games. That would be a good time to stop." (lc.nl, 19 Oct 2023; schaatsen.nl, 13 Jan 2023; skatenl.nl, 07 Mar 2021)
HELMET DESIGNER
He designs the images on his helmets, often finding inspiration in heavy metal music. "I have been drawing and being creative since I was little. [In 2015] we learned that we could wear our own helmets during competitions, so I started designing and spraying my helmet. Since the [2018 Olympic Winter] Games I have also been doing it for others. Skating is the main goal, airbrushing is fun to do and if I can earn something with it, fine. I'm far from done with short track. For now [speaking in 2022] it is nothing more than a fun hobby. I have some contacts, but I first need to gain some more experience and build up a portfolio." (Comeback Business & Sports Instagram profile, 22 May 2023; schaatsen.nl, 13 Jan 2023, 26 Jan 2022, 09 Aug 2018; skatenl.nl, 07 Mar 2021; ad.nl, 06 Mar 2021; frieschdagblad.nl, 25 Feb 2021; Skating ISU YouTube channel, 26 Feb 2021)
He made his World Cup debut for the Netherlands in 2011, and hopes to continue competing until at least the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. "I've been going for a while, I skated my first World Cup when I was 16. That was already 10 years ago [speaking in 2021]. Sometimes I don't realise how long I've been around. When [Dutch short track skaters] Daan Breeuwsma and Sjinkie Knegt are gone, I will suddenly be the oldest. I still have growth potential. That's why I don't feel like I'm getting older. [After the 2026 Olympic Winter Games] I will be 31 and will have had three Games. That would be a good time to stop." (lc.nl, 19 Oct 2023; schaatsen.nl, 13 Jan 2023; skatenl.nl, 07 Mar 2021)
HELMET DESIGNER
He designs the images on his helmets, often finding inspiration in heavy metal music. "I have been drawing and being creative since I was little. [In 2015] we learned that we could wear our own helmets during competitions, so I started designing and spraying my helmet. Since the [2018 Olympic Winter] Games I have also been doing it for others. Skating is the main goal, airbrushing is fun to do and if I can earn something with it, fine. I'm far from done with short track. For now [speaking in 2022] it is nothing more than a fun hobby. I have some contacts, but I first need to gain some more experience and build up a portfolio." (Comeback Business & Sports Instagram profile, 22 May 2023; schaatsen.nl, 13 Jan 2023, 26 Jan 2022, 09 Aug 2018; skatenl.nl, 07 Mar 2021; ad.nl, 06 Mar 2021; frieschdagblad.nl, 25 Feb 2021; Skating ISU YouTube channel, 26 Feb 2021)
He was inspired by other skaters who were showing their skills and doing tricks on ice. "It looked fun to me."
Niels Kerstholt [national], NED
