The 2023 Wrestling World Championships was a glorious campaign for Team USA. Many wrestlers succeeded in their golden aspirations and brought home the world title in their weight class. These legendary athletes, like Vito Arujau, Zaine Retherford, and David Taylor, will once again don the team colors and help the U.S. flag soar under Parisian skies at the 2024 Olympics. One former Olympian may yet join them as his new source of motivation at home is egging him towards that goal.

Jordan Burroughs had stood atop the Olympic podium in 2012, but he wanted to add to his collection of accessories next year. However, when the six-time world champion fell on the axe at the world trials, his hope was shattered. Weeks later, he saw his nine-year-old boy go through the same thing, but the young athlete?s resilience forced his father to say, ?I?m not done?.

Nine-year-old son inspires Jordan Burroughs to pursue Olympic dream

Jordan Burroughs? eldest son Beacon had his wrestling season cut short after a heated battle against a strong opponent. Watching him fall on the mat, his father revisited his own miserable fall at the U.S. world trials. However, the wrestling champion was mildly surprised by his son?s attitude after the loss. Beacon remained calm, which was quite the opposite of his father?s reactions from his initial days in the sport.

Jordan Burroughs reminisced in his interview with Olympics.com, saying, ?I cried every time. I cried every time I lost?. Now, he has mastered the champion mentality and takes every loss in his stride. His son had imbibed this quality from him without him ever teaching him. However, Burroughs still had some words of advice for Beacon, saying, ?You want to feel it. The right thing is to feel it and then fight it?.

Jordan Burroughs’ man-to-man talk with Beacon entailed facing one’s fears instead of hiding from them. He believes, “That’s what makes you strong”. The wrestling ace does not want to wash away all memories of the loss from his mind but to use it as a foundation to get better. These are life lessons that Burroughs had learned throughout his arduous journey in the wrestling world. But now, he is faced with another challenge. Will he be able to rise to the occasion and join his peers in Paris?

Jordan Burroughs is getting stronger through struggle

Jordan Burroughs is ?a fighter? who relentlessly pursues a goal till he has reached it. Therefore, he did not allow his loss to make him despondent. He said, ?I’ve got to treat myself like a champion. I’ve got to understand that there’s dynamics to this sport and every dog has his day. Some days you’re going to win. Some days you’re going to lose?. Now, he has pushed his boundaries in his training in order to outclass himself and reserve a seat on the U.S. Olympic team.

Read More: 6x Wrestling World Champion Jordan Burroughs Reveals the Life-Changing Impact of PRTC After Winning Gold at DA Kunaev

Jordan Burroughs used examples of the best athletes in other sports, such as Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, etc., to hint at his own resurgence. However, with every day passing by, his pathway to Paris is getting narrower. Will the wrestling fans get to watch him compete in 2024, or will they have to wait till 2028? Comment with your thoughts below.

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