Yesterday, the Athletic Hotel in Taraz, Kazakhstan, became a shrine for wrestling fans as the top athletes of the sport congregated under one roof. Many of these legends have won world championship medals and are on the Olympic path for 2024. Among them was a six-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist from the United States who has been playing around with his weight class recently.

As any wrestler would attest, changing one’s weight class takes a huge toll on the body. It requires a change in diet, training, and strength, which is a very difficult proposition. But for Jordan Burroughs, it comes like second nature. He used to compete in the 74kg weight class but raised it to 79kg before. Now, he has once again changed it and only just revealed the challenges that come with such a decision.

Wrestling ace Jordan Burroughs exposes his challenges

Jordan Burroughs has dropped down to 74kgs once again after three years in anticipation of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Recently, he tore the veil and shared the difficulties of competing at the elite level. On Instagram, Burroughs posted a video of himself at the gym, captioned, “Those closest to me know the discipline required to make this transition. But good nutrition and hard work are just the price of admission. Now it’s time to battle.”

The caption continued “With doubt, fear, fatigue, opposition. I’ve never run from a fight, and I don’t plan on starting today. God thank you for making my mind strong and my body sturdy. Game time!”. The iconic wrestler is ready to battle his way to the Olympic podium once again and take on any opponent that may come his way. Jordan Burroughs is set to face his first opponent on Friday, November 3.

He will engage them in fierce combat for the Kunayev DA tournament title. It is the last chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics this year for him after losing the qualification score in both the 2022 World Cup and 2023 World Championship trials. Thereafter, he decided to drop to 74kgs and began his training. Will the 35-year-old wrestling legend redeem himself in Kazakhstan?

Jordan Burroughs raises the bar

Jordan Burroughs’ coach, Brandon Slay, inspired the wrestling legend, saying, “There is no international tournament in 2023 after this one”. These words have resonated with him, and he has imbibed the spirit of the competition during his training. Even the home boxers could not help but stop their training and looked on as the wrestler decked in Team USA colors sparred on the mat.

They admired not just his strength but also his agility. His sparring partner was Joseph McKenna, who competes in the 65kgs and is lighter on his feet. However, even he could not manage to gather a leg up against Burroughs.

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Jordan Burroughs has a few hurdles ahead of him on home soil, including four-time World Champion Kyle Dake. He will have to trounce Dake for a seat on the United States Olympic team in April. This will be his last attempt to make the team as he plans to retire after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Given his form and vigor, Jordan Burroughs is heading towards making another wrestling history.

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