WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 4 OF A KIND!
Burroughs, Gray, Snyder, Maroulis hit jackpot with memorable performances in Las Vegas
By Craig Sesker
LAS VEGAS – Jordan Burroughs pumped his fist and flashed a smile. It was a familiar scene as the United
States wrestling legend celebrated anoth- er landmark victory by running around the mat with an American flag draped around him.
The only difference this time was he had the opportunity to share it with his home fans in Las Vegas.
Burroughs delivered once again, put- ting on a memorable show on the big stage by powering to a 10-0 technical fall over Unurbat Purevjav of Mongolia in the gold-medal finals at 74 kg/163 lbs. Burroughs, a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, earned his third World title before a boisterous sellout crowd of 7,000 fans Sept. 12 at the Orleans Arena. Burroughs became the fourth U.S. wrestler to earn a World title in Vegas. Freestyle wrestler Kyle Snyder also struck gold along with women’s freestyle wrestlers Adeline Gray and Helen Maroulis.
The six-day World Championships were held on Sept. 7-12 in Las Vegas. American Greco-Roman wrestler Andy Bisek earned a bronze medal as did men’s freestyle wrestler James Green and women’s freestyle wrestler Leigh Jaynes-Provisor.
The U.S. tied Russia with the most overall gold medals at the 2015 Worlds with four. The four combined gold medals won by the U.S. were the most at a Worlds since 1995.
Burroughs joins John Smith and Bruce Baumgartner as the only American men’s freestyle wrestlers who have combined to win four or more World and Olympic titles. Smith won six golds (four World, two Olympic) and Baumgartner five (three World, two Olympic).
"This is what we dream of," Burroughs 6 USA Wrestler
American freestyle legend Jordan Burroughs has now captured three World titles to go with his 2012 Olympic gold medal. Tony Rotundo photo.
said. "I'm a World champion again. I've been here before, but it never loses its significance. It's not easy, but I'm still hungry to do more."
Burroughs has now won four World medals, three gold and one bronze, in addition to his Olympic gold. "That's No. 4. I'm in elite company now with John Smith and Bruce Baumgartner. When you talk about the Mount Rushmore of wrestling, I can definitely say I'm on it. This time was extremely special with my family in the stands." Burroughs barreled in on a leg attack for an early takedown and led Purevjav 2- 0 at the break. He then turned up the heat in the second period, firing in on a leg attack and gaining exposure to lead 6-0 early in the second period. He turned two more leg shots into takedowns in the final minute to complete the 10-0 techni- cal fall.
Burroughs had defeated Purevjav 6-0
at April’s World Cup in Los Angeles. "It's been a trying year. I've been married for a little less than two years, had a new- born son last July and also took an assis- tant coaching position at the University of Nebraska. It was extremely tough for me this year," Burroughs said. "I was very pressed for time. I was extremely busy. For a long time I was trying to be the best wrestler in the World in my spare time. "I'm fortunate enough to have a great supporting staff and a lot of prayer. I'm back. Last year, I sprained my MCL in my first match. I didn't know if (three-time Russian World champion Denis) Tsargush was going to be here this year. He wasn't. I wrestled another Russian in the semifi- nals and was fortunate enough to make it here, and I'm extremely grateful." The top-ranked Burroughs, 27, is now Continued on page 7
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