Jordan Burroughs faces toughest test yet, exceeds all expectations

Entering the last session of the Men’s Freestyle World Championships Jordan Burroughs prepared for the biggest challenge of his international career, but not the challenge he imagined heading into his third World Championship tournament.

For the first time in his career, the two-time World Champion and Olympic Champion would not wrestle in the gold medal match at the World Championships.

Burroughs lost in the semifinals to Russian Denis Tsargush 9-2, marking his first ever loss to an international opponent. Tsargush ended up cruising to the gold medal to win his third World title.

Displaying the heart of a true champion, Jordan came back to pin his Ukrainian opponent in the bronze medal match, sporting a seriously injured knee.

Many speculated back in the States and on Twitter about whether or not he would even wrestle for bronze, but there was no doubt in his mind. He would go out there and fight.

Let’s be honest, Burroughs could barely walk, let alone bend his knee. He practically had a soft cast covering the majority of his left leg the whole tournament.

But you know Jordan, no excuses. He made that abundantly clear in his post tournament interview. This interview is one of the most remarkable and honest interviews you will ever hear.

After the competition was over I headed out the back door and wouldn’t you know, Jordan was right there. Myself, Jordan and a couple others left the arena together and were attempting to find a taxi back to the hotel, but what I saw next was one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen in my life.

We had to walk down a few blocks to the street with all the taxicabs and as we are walking a swarm of local Uzbek children and teenagers are following us. All of them just wanting to be in Jordan’s presence.

They walked with our group all the way down the street, well past the arena. The children saying “You are real Champion” and “Jordan Burroughs Champion” the whole way. They obviously didn’t speak much English but they got their point across. They were walking with one of their heroes.

All of the kids were taking photos with their cell phones trying to snap a shot with Jordan who embraced them the whole way, taking pictures, shaking hands and even a couple hugs.

The kids eventually stopped traffic to find us a taxi and were swarming us and shouting, “good luck” and “we love Jordan” until the moment we left.

Just think about this. How many athletes who are of the highest profile in their respective sport would do what Jordan did after the toughest loss of their career? Would Tom Brady cruise the streets and take pictures with fans moments after losing the Super Bowl? Or Lebron James right after losing the NBA finals?

That is the kind of guy Jordan Burroughs is. He is the ultimate representative of our great sport. He is a guy you always want on your team. He is the truest of champions.

Without a doubt Jordan Burroughs is the greatest wrestler I have had the privilege of watching during my short life. When all is said and done we will look back at the career of Jordan Burroughs and know he is one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the world, but we will also know what kind of man he is.

This is a moment I will never forget the rest of my life.