USA’s Hopes Rest on Jason Nolf as Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs Unexpectedly Pulls Out of Zagreb Open

The Paris Olympics are just months away. The tournaments that are coming across at the moment are great platforms for sportspersons across the realm to rehash their preparations for the grandest stage. In the wrestling arena, the Zagreb Open offers one such opportunity. The USA has recently released a roster for the event with a massive 47 wrestlers onboard.

As it came out, one omission caught instant attention. 6X World Champion Jordan Burroughs is not one participant. However, it was not supposed to be like this.

A chance to reinforce wrestling skills denied

Jordan Burroughs was going well in the year 2023. He won gold in the Pan American Games in the 79kg category. But that is not an Olympic weight class. He therefore shifted to the Olympic weight category of 74kg. Critics who were skeptical about his success in that category were silenced as Burroughs went on to win the Kunaev DA International tournament. Zagreb Open could have been another booster that Burroughs needed before the Olympics. But as the USA team for Zagreb came out, it transpired that he had pulled out of the event, as reported by the United World Wrestling. The reason for the withdrawal is not yet known. However, the USA’s hopes in the tournament are not yet fully extinguished.

One of the key competitors to Jordan Burroughs on the USA’s wrestling team, Jason Nolf, will now shoulder the responsibilities to bring glory in the 74kg category in Zagreb. And he looks a good fit for that. Nolf has three state titles in his kitty before being a part of the Penn State Wrestling. As a part of the Nittany Lions, Nolf grabbed three national championships. Apart from titles, Nolf has his name etched in the wrestling moves as well.

Nolf is known for his signature move, Winn-Dixie. Once wrestling media personality, Ryan Holmes listed the move in the all-time greats in NCAA wrestling. Just weeks back, in the 175 kg category in the Ironman Wrestling Championship, Gage Wright took the title while successfully pulling off a Winn-Dixie. After the match, Wright said, “Works like a gold, I swear”. It remains to be seen if that truly translates into a golden glory. However, the question remains, what made Burroughs pull out? A recent social media post of Burroughs amid this might be an interesting indication.

Jordan Burroughs in the solace of family

On the same day USA Wrestling released the list for Zagreb, Burroughs posted his second Instagram post of 2024. Interestingly, it was far from competitive wrestling. Rather, the 2012 London Olympics Gold Medalist was seen delving into the parenthood moments of the just concluded year.

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“Dad 2023 Recap”, Burroughs captioned his post. It was all about his wife and children. The series of pictures captured the different moods of Burroughs. He was seen on the wrestling rings, but only to have some fun-filled outings with his children. While Burroughs is content with family, in the wrestling arena, things are getting heated up.

Zagreb opening is scheduled to take place this Wednesday from 10th January to 14th January. It remains to be seen how things turn out for the USA in the 74kg category.

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