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The composure of an athlete is judged by the odds. It?s how an athlete responds to these moments of intensity that truly define their character. This was exemplified in the recent D.A. Memorial Kunaev Tournament semi-final bout featuring USA?s wrestling star, Jordan Burroughs. It was a real test of the times for him as he met with an unprepared situation.

It was the semi-final match in the 74kg category of the D.A Memorial Kunaev wrestling championship. Burroughs demonstrated the power of composure and focus during a heated match against Kazakhstan, storming through the finals. As the video of the incident, that took place during the match surfaced, a call for sportsmanship and respecting the opponent has been called in the comments.

Test of the temperament in wrestling

During the semi-final match, Burroughs found himself in a heated moment when his opponent, Yerbarys Satybaldy of Kazakhstan, delivered a slap during the bout. The unexpected act could have easily escalated the situation. But Burroughs, ever the professional, chose to respond with remarkable calm and composure. In an Instagram post by United World Wrestling, a glimpse of the fierce exchange could be seen. The post aptly reads, “Taraz may be cold but tempers were running high on the mat. Jordan BURROUGHS ?? remained calm.”

Rather than retaliating or losing his cool, Burroughs maintained his focus on the match at hand. However, the slap, which was merely a coincidence, seems to have triggered Jordan in the other way, as he eventually ended up winning the bout. It was a revisit for his sharpened skills before the Paris Olympics 2024, which will mark one of his career’s highest feats.

Jordan Burroughs in Great Form Before Paris 2024

Despite the incident, Burroughs went on to win the match, further proving his prowess on the wrestling mat. With the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon, Burroughs seems to be in top form. His recent performances, including his victories at the 2023 Beat the Streets Wrestling Benefit and the Final X, indicate that he is gearing up for the Olympics in earnest.

Jordan showcased his exceptional skills and sportsmanship at the 2023 Beat the Streets Wrestling Benefit held on June 8, 2022, in New York City. He faced off against Chance Marsteller in a men’s freestyle 76-kilogram match. Following this, Burroughs competed in the Final X on June 10, 2023, held at Newark, New Jersey?s Prudential Centre. He squared off in a best-of-three freestyle series against Chance Marsteller at 79 kg. Still, there were some doubts about how he would perform in the D.A Memorial Kunaev tournament.

Read more: USA?s Olympic Hero Achieves the Unthinkable to Earn a Chance to Compete in the Upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics

Burroughs, who started his wrestling journey in the 74 kg category had shifted to 79kg and has been competing in that category for three years. Until very recently, he shifted back to the 74kg category. For good reasons, there were speculations about how he would perform in that category at the D.A Memorial Kunaev tournament. However, he successfully put all those to rest with his spot in the finals.

As Burroughs continues to dominate in the wrestling world, his calm response during the semi-final bout serves as a lesson for athletes everywhere. It?s not just about how you perform in your sport, but also how you handle the unexpected challenges that come your way. And Jordan Burroughs is a true champion in tackling those.

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