how a near-death crash turned jens van 't wout into scarface

2026-02-10 sport

Heerenveen, dinsdag, 10 februari 2026.
Dutch shorttracker Jens van ‘t Wout carries a deep facial scar from a life-threatening accident during a 2019 training session. His jaw was sliced open by a rival’s skate blade, leaving him with a permanent wound and two golden teeth. Doctors compared the injury to a samurai sword strike. He now embraces the nickname Scarface. The scar became his trademark, symbolizing survival and mental strength. At 24, he leads TeamNL as flagbearer at the Milan Olympics. His journey reflects resilience after trauma. He marks his skin further with tattoos like a hummingbird for ‘the floating world’. For Van ‘t Wout, pain forged identity.

a career-altering collision

In February 2019, shorttracker Jens van ‘t Wout suffered a severe facial injury during a training session at Thialf. A fellow athlete’s skate blade struck his face, slicing from his cheek down beneath his lower lip [1]. The impact dislodged two teeth and caused extensive bleeding. Medical staff described the wound as resembling a samurai sword cut due to its depth and sharpness [2]. Immediate treatment included suturing and dental reconstruction. The event occurred when Van ‘t Wout was 17 years old [3].

from trauma to trademark

The accident left Van ‘t Wout with a prominent facial scar that earned him the nickname “Scarface” [1]. Rather than conceal it, he embraced the mark as a symbol of endurance and personal growth [2]. Two missing teeth were replaced with gold ones, adding to his distinctive appearance [3]. He publicly discussed the psychological adjustment following the incident, noting initial shock but eventual acceptance [4]. Today, the scar forms part of his public identity as a top-tier athlete representing the Netherlands internationally [5].

symbolism in ink and ice

Alongside his scar, Van ‘t Wout bears several tattoos reflecting philosophical themes. One depicts a hummingbird alongside Asian characters meaning “the floating world” [3]. This concept emphasizes living in the present moment rather than dwelling on hardship [6]. The imagery aligns with his mindset toward recovery and competition. As flagbearer for TeamNL at the 2026 Milan Olympics, his presence embodies perseverance through adversity [7]. His journey resonates beyond sports, illustrating how physical reminders of trauma can evolve into emblems of strength [8].

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