Print the Biography/Short

Itzhak de Laat

Netherlands

SportShort Track
FederationIDSTNED11306199401
NOCNetherlands
Born13 Jun 1994 in Leeuwarden 
GenderMen
OccupationArtist, Athlete, Designer
ResidenceLeeuwarden, NED
LanguagesDutch, English
FamilyPartner Martha de Jong
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 40.394 03 Nov 2018 Calgary  
    1000m 1:23.656 28 Nov 2021 Dordrecht  
    1500m 2:11.530 10 Feb 2024 Dresden  
    3000m 4:41.752 08 Jan 2017 Amsterdam  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
World Championships
Event  
World Championships
    1500m   1    
    2000m Relay 1      
    5000m Relay 2 1    
European Championships
Event  
European Championships
    500m     1  
    1000m     1  
    1500m   1 1  
    2000m Relay 1      
    5000m Relay 5 2 1  
    Overall     1  
General Interest
General Interest
Hero / IdolUS golfer Tiger Woods. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Name of coachNiels Kerstholt [national], NED  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/itzhak.delaat  
General Interest
General Interest
HobbiesDrawing, painting, music. (Instagram profile, 03 Nov 2020)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHe was inspired by other skaters who were showing their skills and doing tricks on ice. "It looked fun to me."  
General Interest
General Interest
Most influential person in careerHis father. (Athlete, 08 Nov 2017)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?He began skating at age eight at Trias Shorttrack in Leeuwarden, Netherlands.  
General Interest
General Interest
Other informationEXPERIENCED 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)
 
AmbitionsTo win a gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games. (comebacksports.nl, 28 Jul 2020)  
Awards and honoursHe was named the 2020 Male Short Track Athlete of the Year by the Royal Dutch Skating Federation [KNSB]. (lc.nl, 07 Sep 2020)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Club / TeamTrias Shorttrack: Leeuwarden, NED  
General Interest
General Interest
InjuriesHe 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)
 
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2022/2023 European Championships 2000m Relay1  
    2020/2021 World Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2022/2023 World Championships 2000m Relay1  
    2022/2023 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2023/2024 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2016/2017 World Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2017/2018 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2016/2017 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2020/2021 European Championships 5000m Relay1  
    2021/2022 World Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2018/2019 European Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2020/2021 World Championships 1500m2  
    2019/2020 European Championships 1500m2  
    2019/2020 European Championships 5000m Relay2  
    2014/2015 European Championships 5000m Relay3  
    2023/2024 European Championships 1500m3  
    2020/2021 European Championships 1000m3  
    2020/2021 European Championships 500m3  
    2020/2021 European Championships Overall3  
    2023/2024 World Championships 5000m Relay4  
    2022 Olympic Games 2000m Relay4  
    2019/2020 European Championships Overall4  
    2019/2020 European Championships 1000m4  
    2019/2020 European Championships 500m4  
    2020/2021 European Championships 1500m4  
    2017/2018 World Championships 5000m Relay4  
    2022 Olympic Games 1000m5  
    2020/2021 World Championships Overall5  
    2018/2019 World Championships 5000m Relay5  
    2018 Olympic Games 1500m6  
    2021/2022 World Championships 500m6  
    2022/2023 World Championships 5000m Relay6  
    2017/2018 European Championships 500m6  
    2011/2012 World Junior Championships 3000m Relay6  
    2022 Olympic Games 5000m Relay7  
    2017/2018 European Championships 1000m7  
    2018/2019 European Championships 500m7  
    2023/2024 European Championships 500m7  
    2009/2010 World Junior Championships 3000m Relay7  
    2015/2016 World Championships 5000m Relay8  
    2018/2019 World Championships 500m8  
    2017/2018 European Championships 1500m8  
    2012/2013 World Junior Championships 3000m Relay8  
    2021/2022 World Championships Overall9  
    2021/2022 World Championships 1500m9  
    2010/2011 World Junior Championships 3000m Relay9  
    2018 Olympic Games 1000m10  
    2017/2018 European Championships Overall10  
    2020/2021 World Championships 1000m11  
    2023/2024 World Championships 1500m11  
    2018/2019 European Championships Overall12  
    2010/2011 World Junior Championships Overall13  
    2022/2023 World Championships 500m13  
    2018/2019 European Championships 1000m14  
    2012/2013 World Junior Championships Overall14  
    2018/2019 World Championships Overall16  
    2020/2021 World Championships 500m17  
    2022/2023 European Championships 1500m18  
    2017/2018 World Championships 1000m18  
    2022/2023 European Championships 1000m19  
    2023/2024 World Championships 1000m19  
    2018/2019 European Championships 1500m21  
    2018/2019 World Championships 1500m21  
    2011/2012 World Junior Championships Overall22  
    2015/2016 World Championships 1500m26  
    2017/2018 World Championships Overall27  
    2021/2022 World Championships 1000m28  
    2022 Olympic Games 500m28  
    2015/2016 World Championships 1000m29  
    2022 Olympic Games 1500m30  
    2017/2018 World Championships 1500m30  
    2015/2016 World Championships Overall31  
    2015/2016 World Championships 500m33  
    2017/2018 World Championships 500m38  
    2022/2023 World Championships 1000m50  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2014/2015 Seoul 5000m Relay1  
    2022/2023 Dordrecht 2000m Relay1  
    2023/2024 Gdansk 2000m Relay1  
    2021/2022 Beijing 5000m Relay1  
    2016/2017 Minsk 5000m Relay1  
    2018/2019 Almaty 5000m Relay1  
    2023/2024 Beijing 2000m Relay1  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 2000m Relay1  
    2021/2022 Dordrecht 2000m Relay1  
    2015/2016 Montreal, QC 5000m Relay2  
    2023/2024 Seoul 5000m Relay2  
    2017/2018 Seoul 5000m Relay2  
    2015/2016 Dordrecht 5000m Relay2  
    2022/2023 Almaty 5000m Relay2  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 5000m Relay2  
    2021/2022 Beijing 2000m Relay2  
    2014/2015 Shanghai 5000m Relay2  
    2016/2017 Dresden 5000m Relay2  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 5000m Relay2  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 5000m Relay2  
    2021/2022 Nagoya 1000m2  
    2017/2018 Dordrecht 5000m Relay2  
    2019/2020 Dordrecht 5000m Relay2  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 1000m3  
    2022/2023 Dresden 2000m Relay3  
    2019/2020 Dordrecht 1000m3  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 5000m Relay3  
    2018/2019 Calgary, AB 5000m Relay3  
    2021/2022 Debrecen 1000m3  
    2019/2020 Dresden 5000m Relay3  
    2019/2020 Nagoya 2000m Relay3  
    2022/2023 Almaty 2000m Relay4  
    2022/2023 Salt Lake City, UT 2000m Relay4  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 1000m4  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 5000m Relay4  
    2022/2023 Almaty 500m4  
    2019/2020 Dresden 1500m4  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 5000m Relay4  
    2019/2020 Dresden 2000m Relay4  
    2023/2024 Gdansk 5000m Relay5  
    2022/2023 Salt Lake City, UT 5000m Relay5  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 500m5  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 2000m Relay6  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification 1500m7  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 5000m Relay7  
    2022/2023 Dresden 5000m Relay7  
    2018/2019 Almaty 1000m7  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 1000m7  
    2022/2023 Almaty 5000m Relay8  
    2023/2024 Gdansk 1500m8  
    2015/2016 Dresden 5000m Relay8  
    2018/2019 Dresden 5000m Relay8  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 5000m Relay9  
    2018/2019 Calgary, AB 500m9  
    2018/2019 Calgary, AB 1000m9  
    2023/2024 Dresden 1000m9  
    2022/2023 Almaty 1500m9  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 500m10  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 1500m10  
    2022/2023 Dresden 1000m10  
    2018/2019 Salt Lake City, UT 5000m Relay10  
    2019/2020 Shanghai 1500m10  
    2022/2023 Salt Lake City, UT 1000m11  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1500m11  
    2018/2019 Dresden 1500m11  
    2016/2017 Dresden 500m12  
    2022/2023 Almaty 1000m12  
    2023/2024 Dresden 1500m12  
    2023/2024 Dresden 5000m Relay12  
    2022/2023 Almaty 500m12  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 500m13  
    2018/2019 Dresden 1000m14  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1500m15  
    2019/2020 Dresden 500m15  
    2022/2023 Salt Lake City, UT 500m15  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 500m15  
    2016/2017 Minsk 1500m15  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification 500m16  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 1000m16  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 500m17  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1000m17  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 500m17  
    2018/2019 Almaty 500m17  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 1500m18  
    2022/2023 Dresden 1500m18  
    2016/2017 Minsk 1000m19  
    2019/2020 World Cup Classification 1000m20  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 1000m20  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification 1000m21  
    2019/2020 Salt Lake City, UT 500m21  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 1000m22  
    2018/2019 Salt Lake City, UT 1000m22  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification Overall23  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification Overall23  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 500m24  
    2016/2017 Dresden 1000m24  
    2018/2019 Salt Lake City, UT 1500m24  
    2018/2019 World Cup Classification 1500m25  
    2021/2022 World Cup Classification 1500m26  
    2010/2011 Dresden 500m27  
    2015/2016 Dresden 500m27  
    2010/2011 Dresden 1500m28  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1000m31  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1000m32  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification 500m32  
    2023/2024 World Cup Classification 1000m33  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 500m34  
    2022/2023 World Cup Classification 1500m36  
    2014/2015 Erzurum 1000m36  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 500m37  
    2023/2024 Gdansk 500m37  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1500m46  
    2015/2016 Dresden 1500m49  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 500m50  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 500m53  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 1000m54  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 500m55  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 1500m56  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 500m58  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1500m59  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 1000m64  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 1500m87  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 500m88