Jan Blokhuijsen shares insights into Kjeld Nuis’ recent critique of the national allround championship and recalls his own experience winning the title on his way to becoming world champion.
Schaatsen.nl, Netherlands
Jan Blokhuijsen recounted how his grandfather inspired his ambition to become a world champion speed skater. Initially, he had intended to pursue skiing and even planned to move to a snowy region but ultimately chose speed skating because it was more convenient to arrange and to honor his grandfather’s hopes. From early on, he believed he would win the world championship, a goal he achieved in March 2014 after also securing the national allround title.
Reflecting on the national allround championship held shortly after the Olympics, Blokhuijsen addressed comments made by fellow skater Kjeld Nuis, who expressed dissatisfaction after not receiving an assigned spot for the World Championships and criticized aspects of the national competition. Blokhuijsen described Nuis as frequently critical and emphasized that winning the national title is a prestigious achievement that athletes under professional contracts are expected to strive for.
The event was marked by several controversies, including Sven Kramer’s disqualification for an illegal “kick finish,” Douwe de Vries’ disqualification after crossing a lane boundary, and early withdrawals by prominent skaters such as Bob de Jong and Jan Blokhuijsen himself. Despite these disruptions, Blokhuijsen highlighted his strong performance, noting his fast times in the 500 and 1500-meter races that established a significant lead over competitors. He expressed confidence that even without Kramer’s disqualification, his form and technique would have secured him the title, underscoring the difficulty of becoming the national champion.
