- Burroughs, 35, and a professional since 2011, won gold at the same event 12 years ago
- Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened to separate the couple
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US Olympic wrestling gold medalist Jordan Burroughs clashed with a ‘classless’ fan following his heartbreaking loss at this summer’s matches this weekend.
On Friday, Burroughs, 35, lost to Penn State’s Jason Nolf — a three-time NCAA national champion — in the 74-kilogram Challenger final at the Bryce Jordan Center, as the result essentially ended the veteran’s bid for the Olympic 2024 Games. Paris and possibly his wrestling career as well.
But before Burroughs had time to think about possible retirements, a fan in attendance made a fuss about the 2012 London gold medalist as he walked off the mat.
Viral footage posted to social media by DC News Now’s Jake Rohm shows the fan repeatedly shouting “career is over” as Burroughs makes his way through the tunnel.
The wrestler stopped and replied to the fan, “Hey, what did you do?”
Jason Nolf (R) wrestles Jordan Burroughs (L) in a 74kg challenger tournament final during the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials held Friday at the Bryce Jordan Center
Wolf defeated the 35-year-old London gold medalist from 2012, potentially ending Burroughs’ career
A fan in attendance shouted “career over” at Burrough in the tunnel after the wrestling match
Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened and suggested the fan was drinking too much before yelling back, “Classless.”
Burroughs and Manning then walk away from the scene.
Born in New Jersey, Burroughs is among the most talented American wrestlers in the history of the sport.
He is a six-time world champion and won his only Olympic gold medal just a year after turning professional in 2011. He has also won several gold medals at the Pan American Games.
Before the US lawsuit for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he said NJ.com: ‘It’s sobering because the end is near. It could be in six days or in six months.
‘I take comfort in the fact that I love what I do, that I am good at what I do. I have been able to do it at a high level for a long time. It will undoubtedly be difficult. I’ve been in it for so long, through multiple changes, multiple generations of greats. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in this sport.
“But I’m happy with what I’ve done, who I’ve become and where I’ve left the sport. When the time comes, it will be an emotional moment, but it won’t linger because I know I gave it everything I had. I don’t want big ones.’