Jordan Burroughs—a name synonymous with wrestling excellence. To call him a legend is almost an understatement. With a career that reads like a catalogue of golden achievements, Burroughs has cemented his place in the annals of wrestling history. His resume sparkles with five World Championship titles and an Olympic gold medal, not to mention the countless other honors he has accumulated: three Golds in the Pan American Games, six Golds at the Pan American Championships, six Grand Prix Golds—the list is endless, a testament to his unparalleled dominance on the mat.

Yet, at 35, Burroughs is far from finished. Despite what some may have speculated, retirement is not in his immediate future. Recently, he put to rest any rumors of stepping away from the sport, announcing his intent to compete in the 2024 World Team Trials in Omaha. With a fire still burning brightly, Burroughs is once again aiming to etch his name into the wrestling record books. But, like any great hero, his journey has not been without its challenges, both on and off the mat.

After the Penn State novella, Jordan is back!

After a whirlwind of events surrounding his connection to Penn State, Burroughs is back with a vengeance. He recently shared a glimpse of his training regimen, hitting the mat with Iowa State’s finest—David Carr and Nate Carr Jr. The session was more than just a workout; it was a meeting of champions, a clash of titans.

David Carr, a two-time NCAA Champion and five-time All-American, has a career record of 120-5, solidifying his own legendary status. He recently made waves by leading Iowa State to its best NCAA Championships finish since 2010, amassing 22.5 team points. Known for his ability to topple giants, Carr’s takedown of two-time defending national champion Keegan O’Toole at the 2024 NCAA semifinals stands out as a defining moment in his career. Meanwhile, Nate Carr Jr., a redshirt senior and former Iowa State wrestler, brings his own impressive credentials to the mat. As the 2007 NJCAA 157-pound titleholder and a three-time Georgia state champion, his presence adds yet another layer of intensity to Burroughs’ training camp.

Jordan went on to write, “Sometimes it’s the youthful spirit of the young athletes that reignites your own hunger. In their humility, thirst for wisdom, and willingness to get thrown in the fire I find inspiration. It reminds me of myself when I began this journey. Young, but driven; in possession of an unwavering belief that my time was coming.” There is no doubt that Jordan is definitely preparing to put up a tough fight at Omaha. He went on to add, “Thanks to @carrchamp and Nate Carr for allowing me to pour into to you, providing the extra challenge, and reminding me that there’s nothing in the world that I enjoy doing more than wrestling.” But that’s not all that is brewing in Jordan’s pot!

Jordan’s post comes after a recent trifle with Penn State. Heading into the Olympic Team Trials at State College, Jordan wasn’t just battling opponents on the mat. He was also fighting the noise off it. Former Penn State champ and rising UFC star Bo Nickal wasn’t too pleased with Jordan’s comments on Carter Starocci’s knee during the NCAA Championships. But as the drama unfolded, there was something unpleasant waiting for Jordan at the Bryce Jordan Center.

The boos were louder than ever at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials! Especially when Jordan went on to defeat his opponent, Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink. But his wasn’t just another match. It was the lead-up to an exciting match against Penn State’s Jason Nolf. This battle unfortunately ended badly for Jordan. His defeat sparked an ugly scene in the tunnel as he walked away. But of course, in true champion style, Jordan isn’t done. Not by a long shot!

The journey to ‘Omaha’

The world will see him at the 2024 World Team Trials in Omaha. Jordan will be the oldest contender in the 74kg bracket this year. This is also his chance to seal his spot on his third Olympic team. The competition is stronger than ever. With opponents like Jason Nolf and Quincy Monday in their peak form. But if anyone can rise to the challenge, it’s Jordan.

Omaha is Jordan’s chance at redemption after his unfortunate history with trials. 2024 trials wasn’t the only trial that Jordan did not qualify. At the 2016 Summer Olympics trials, Jordan faced a heartbreaking loss to Aniuar Geduev in the quarterfinals. But despite his rocky history with trials, Jordan is not afraid of a challenge. At the upcoming trials, Jordan will be dropping from 79kg to 74kg. A major make or break move.

And the competition is fierce in the 74kg category, with wrestlers like Kyle Dake, who has ruled the mat for a decade and NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph. But Jordan is no stranger to this weight class. He in-fact won his Olympic Gold at the 2012 London Olympics in the 74 kg category. He also has Golds in Istanbul (2011), Budapest (2013), Las Vegas (2015), and Paris (2017) in the same weight class as well. This drop could be Jordan’s shot at yet another Olympics! As the excitement to Omaha builds, the world is closely watching Jordan Burroughs