Jordan Burroughs: Daily Routine

Even after heartbreak in Rio, Jordan Burroughs doubles down on discipline, family, and the grind that made him a champion.

On 10 August 2012, American freestyle wrestler Jordan Burroughs was on top of the world. He had just defeated Iranian wrestler Sadegh Goudarzi in the Men’s freestyle 74 kg finals to capture the gold medal at the London Olympic Games. He sought to repeat the accomplishment at the Rio Games, four years later, but unfortunately placed ninth in his event.

Burroughs was understandably devastated from the loss. “I’ve sacrificed so much to get here. I wanted to be among the greats. I wanted to be a Simone Biles, a Michael Phelps, nationally. I wanted to be those guys, and it’s unfortunate,” he said during the post match interview.

In an interview with Nebraska newspaper, Lincoln Journal Star, Burroughs’ wife Lauren spoke about the wrestler’s crushing disappointment, “He was just so broken. Nothing can ever hurt him as much as that did. Nothing ever again.”