Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs Weighs In on Heated Freestyle vs Folkstyle Wrestling Debate With a Pressing Question

While the primary goal of a wrestler is to pin their opponents, how they do it can divide entire groups. The wrestling community in the country has long debated and claimed the superiority of either freestyle or folkstyle techniques, and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs now seeks to end the divisive question once and for all.

The six-time World Championships gold medalist is arguably one of the most capable people of giving insights into the two different wrestling styles, given that he has won multiple accolades using both forms. Now, with more and more people ready to fuel fire into the freestyle vs. folkstyle debate, Burroughs weighs in on the matter, and not without a question for the fans.

Olympic medalist seeks the definitive answer

In his latest social media post, Burroughs posed a question for his fans, which he thinks will put an end to the debate for good. While freestyle is an internationally followed wrestling style, folkstyle is mostly practiced across the collegiate wrestling circuit in the United States. The main difference between the two styles is that in folkstyle wrestling, moves from the bottom are allowed. For Burroughs, the answer is evident, and he hopes others will see the light as well.

In his post, Burroughs asks, “In the last 30 seconds of a one point match would you rather see two wrestlers forced to their feet to shoot it out for the win, or one allowed cling on top to a victory.” For the Olympian and two-time NCAA champion wrestler, there is nothing to think about too hard when it comes to choosing a favorite wrestling style.

While the wrestling community still dabbles and swings to and fro between the two, Burroughs categorically declared, “Freestyle>Folkstyle,” with little deliberation. He explains the reason as well.

Burroughs claims the supremacy of the style that allows a wrestler to wriggle out a point without forcing them to stand up on their feet and lunge at each other. Now that Burroughs seems to have some time on his hands ahead of the Olympics, it looks like his mind is taking him to places that have long plagued the wrestling community.

Which path will Burroughs take in the Olympics?

Jordan Burroughs has been in deep-training mode for weeks as the 2024 Olympic Games loom overhead. Working to get back to his old weight class of 74kg, Burroughs can be considered somewhat of an expert when it comes to having insights about different wrestling styles. His Olympic gold in 2012 came as a freestyle wrestler, while Burrough’s collegiate exploits are attributed to his incredible folkstyle wrestling prowess. But the way ahead is not smooth for Burroughs.

Read more: Amidst Shocking Withdrawal From Zagreb Open, Jordan Burroughs Takes a Moment to Share Heartwarming 2023 Recap

He was expected to compete in the Zagreb Open in the Olympic weight class to boost his ranking. But he surprisingly pulled out of the event. Now that wrestlers around the world are gearing up for another Olympic showdown, it waits to be seen if Jordan’s knowledge and experience bring more glory his way in Paris later this year.

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