Dutch World Champion Speed Skater Breaks Records After Posing For Playboy

Dutch speed skating sensation Joy Beune is making waves both on and off the ice!

The 25-year-old athlete, who claimed world champion status earlier this year, has shattered records once again—this time as the cover star of Playboy magazine in her home country.

The December issue, featuring Beune wearing nothing but a pair of gloves, hit shelves in the Netherlands on Thursday. The response was unprecedented, with sales skyrocketing to levels never seen before for the magazine.

Beune's Playboy cover marks a historic moment for the magazine, with sales reportedly ten times higher than average on the first day of release. Additionally, four times more copies were sold compared to typical new editions, prompting the magazine's first-ever reprint in the Netherlands.

"In the 11 years that Pijper Media has been publishing our magazine, something like this has never happened," said editor-in-chief Niek Stolker. "Books are reprinted, but that is not usually the case with magazines."

Despite her confident appearance on the cover, Beune admitted she was initially hesitant to pose for the magazine. Speaking to Dutch outlet AD, she revealed her concerns about body image and potential criticism.

"There were moments when I compared myself to other speed skaters," Beune said. "They are all super slim and have incredibly toned bodies. Then I thought: 'Maybe I'm too heavy. I need to be as light as possible, that's how I skate the fastest.' But that's a load of nonsense. You have to eat well; you need that energy."

Beune credited her boyfriend, fellow speed skater Kjeld Nuis, 35, for encouraging her to embrace the opportunity.

"He immediately said: 'You should do that! How cool, how cool!'" she shared.

The overwhelmingly positive reaction to her decision has been a pleasant surprise for Beune.

"I expected a lot of criticism, but I only hear nice messages from everyone around me and that they think it's incredibly cool," she said.

2024 has been a standout year for Beune, who became the all-around speed skating world champion earlier this year. She also secured gold medals in the 5,000-meter race and team pursuit events, cementing her status as one of the sport's brightest stars.

Her achievements on the ice have been matched by her growing influence off it. With 302,000 Instagram followers, Beune continues to inspire fans by showcasing both her athletic prowess and personal confidence.

Beune's record-breaking Playboy cover is more than just a milestone for the magazine; it's a statement about body positivity and self-acceptance. As she continues to thrive in her athletic career, Beune is also redefining what it means to be a champion—on the ice and beyond.

Whether it's breaking records at the rink or setting new standards in the media, Beune proves she's a force to be reckoned with, inspiring fans and fellow athletes alike.