Jordan Burroughs, not so long ago, had a bitter moment during the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials that happened at Penn State. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist found himself stuck amidst a storm of loudening boos from the crowd as he lost the 74 kg division match. The match was his shot at Paris, which was unfortunately lost. As if the pressures of losing weren’t enough, the incident was coupled with a verbal tussle with Bo Nickal.

Bo Nickal being from PSU, this trifle turned into a rain of disapproval from Penn State fans, coaches, and wrestlers alike. One can only imagine the feeling of being discarded from a sport he had given so much to. Well, who would have known then that the bitterness was going to be the inception of a comeback journey in the making?

From the lows of trials came a profound revelation. As Jordan himself puts it, “I’m thankful; I feel like I’m playing with house money at this point… now it’s a refocus to man, it’s possible to do something even further beyond what I expected for myself.” With the new perspective, Jordan has already silenced critics. But it is not just the perspective; he has also qualified for the upcoming 10th World Championships. The goal for worlds? “I think the focus now is shifting from pressure to freedom.”

But the new perspective or the decision to participate in the Worlds did not come easy. In fact, it wasn’t even in his plan. “You know, I never really thought about it. It wasn’t even in my wheelhouse or my goal sheet, but now it’s a refocus to man; it’s possible to do something even further beyond what I expected for myself,” he said. This change is a huge one for somebody who, after their 2022 iconic win, said 2022, “I lost my love for wrestling… I didn’t really compete at all.” Time has surely passed, and things have changed.

The Worlds are just not another match for Jordan this time. It is an opportunity for him to show the world that his journey is not over yet. “It’s a pure pursuit; it’s a passion that I’m bringing into Toronto more so than feeling the necessity to do something great. I want to create good wrestling; that’s the goal.” With eyes on the prize and mind on the goal, Jordan Burroughs is all set to change his seven Golds at Worlds to an eight.

Jordan Burroughs and the golden streak at Worlds!

Jordan Burroughs, over the years, has not just won but dominated the World Wrestling Championships. He won his first-ever world title soon after he went pro in 2011. Since then, Jordan hasn’t looked back. 2011 started the butterfly effect on medals. He went on to win Gold in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, and 2022. And let’s not forget that amidst all this came the iconic Olympic gold in 2012! However, Jordan did not just stack medals at the Worlds.

Jordan took down some of the biggest names in wrestling. The 2011 Worlds saw him go head-to-head with Russian juggernaut Denis Tsargush, who at that point was a two-time World Champion. The two had an interesting rivalry that began with this moment. But that saw the end when Burroughs beat Tsargush in the 2012 Olympic semifinals and again at the 2013 World Championships. Jordan has also dethroned Iran’s Peyman Yarahmadi at the 2015 Worlds. He has even outwrestled the then Frank Chamizo, the Cuban-Italian wrestler. He was also a two-time world champion at the 2018 Worlds. The list goes on and on.

But if there is one thing, all the medals prove it. It is that Jordan Burroughs has a habit of being the best when the pressure is on and the stakes are high. The world is eagerly waiting to see what Jordan will bring when a possible eighth title is on the line!