UPDATED: Burroughs talks about quest for second Olympic gold medal during USOC teleconference
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by Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
MP3 audio of USOC teleconference including Jordan Burroughs
(Click on document 073015 USOC Media Teleconference)
Jordan Burroughs celebrates after winning a gold medal at the Pan American Games this month in Toronto, Canada. Tony Rotundo photo.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs is hungry and motivated to become the best wrestler on the planet again.
Third at the 2014 World Championships after suffering a first-round injury, Burroughs is determined to win a World title this year and an Olympic gold medal next year.
That was clearly apparent when Burroughs and World champion gymnast Simone Biles took part in the United States Olympic Committee’s one-year out teleconference on Thursday in advance of the 2016 Olympic Games.
The teleconference was being held in advance of the one-year out mark for the 2016 Olympics, which are scheduled to open Aug. 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It’s definitely really exciting to think about another Olympic Games coming up,” Burroughs said. “As for Rio, I’m just going to try and replicate what I did in London. A lot has changed for me personally since 2012, but the goal is always the same and that’s to dominate.”
Burroughs is coming off a gold-medal performance at this month’s Pan American Games in Toronto. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World champion will represent the U.S. at September’s World Championships in Las Vegas.
Burroughs won a U.S. record 69 straight matches to start his career on the Senior level from 2011-14 and now owns a 108-2 career record internationally. He is ranked No. 1 in the World at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Burroughs went 4-0 to capture a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Burroughs defeated three-time World champion Denis Tsargush of Russia in the semifinals before defeating two-time World silver medalist Sadegh Goudarzi of Iran in the finals to earn an Olympic gold medal.
Since winning a gold medal in London, Burroughs has been part of a whirlwind where wrestling had to fight to save its place on the Olympic program in 2013. He also got married and became a father. He also joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Nebraska, as an assistant coach.
Burroughs lost to Tsargush in the semifinals of the 2014 Worlds. Tsargush won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics after his loss to Burroughs that year.
“Last year’s loss at the World Championships is definitely motivating,” Burroughs said. “As an athlete, you feel invincible at times because you’ve been amazingly successful. It’s humbling because you know everybody else wants to win as much as I do. I want to put myself in the best position to be the best in the World again this year and next year. I know how hard I have to work to be the best again.”
Burroughs realizes first-hand the significance of what competing in the Olympics means for an athlete in his sport.
“Being considered one of the best athletes in the world, walking side-by-side with Simone, LeBron James and Kevin Durant and some of these amazing athletes and being considered one of their equals is pretty amazing,” Burroughs said.
Burroughs was asked what his goals would be if he wins a second Olympic gold medal in Rio?
“Win another one in Tokyo,” Burroughs said, referring to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
“Once you have that feeling of being on the top step and having the gold medal placed around your neck like what happened in London, I said I have to get back and I have to do it in Rio," Burroughs said. "And I know if that happens in Rio, I will be thinking about 2020.
“As I get older, I’m able to give it all I've got and go as long as I can. When I step away from the sport, I want to know that I have nothing left and that I’ve maximized everything I have been blessed with.”
For now, Burroughs is focused on the upcoming Worlds in Vegas. The 2015 Worlds are the main qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in wrestling.
“I’m very excited about Worlds,” Burroughs said. “The dynamics of this year’s World Championships has changed dramatically. We are on our home soil this year. We’re really looking forward to winning a World championship as a team. The last time the U.S. won a World (freestyle) team title was in 1995 in Atlanta. We can’t wait to get out there in Vegas and try to win another one.”
(Click on document 073015 USOC Media Teleconference)
Jordan Burroughs celebrates after winning a gold medal at the Pan American Games this month in Toronto, Canada. Tony Rotundo photo.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs is hungry and motivated to become the best wrestler on the planet again.
Third at the 2014 World Championships after suffering a first-round injury, Burroughs is determined to win a World title this year and an Olympic gold medal next year.
That was clearly apparent when Burroughs and World champion gymnast Simone Biles took part in the United States Olympic Committee’s one-year out teleconference on Thursday in advance of the 2016 Olympic Games.
The teleconference was being held in advance of the one-year out mark for the 2016 Olympics, which are scheduled to open Aug. 5, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“It’s definitely really exciting to think about another Olympic Games coming up,” Burroughs said. “As for Rio, I’m just going to try and replicate what I did in London. A lot has changed for me personally since 2012, but the goal is always the same and that’s to dominate.”
Burroughs is coming off a gold-medal performance at this month’s Pan American Games in Toronto. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World champion will represent the U.S. at September’s World Championships in Las Vegas.
Burroughs won a U.S. record 69 straight matches to start his career on the Senior level from 2011-14 and now owns a 108-2 career record internationally. He is ranked No. 1 in the World at 74 kg/163 lbs.
Burroughs went 4-0 to capture a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. Burroughs defeated three-time World champion Denis Tsargush of Russia in the semifinals before defeating two-time World silver medalist Sadegh Goudarzi of Iran in the finals to earn an Olympic gold medal.
Since winning a gold medal in London, Burroughs has been part of a whirlwind where wrestling had to fight to save its place on the Olympic program in 2013. He also got married and became a father. He also joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Nebraska, as an assistant coach.
Burroughs lost to Tsargush in the semifinals of the 2014 Worlds. Tsargush won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics after his loss to Burroughs that year.
“Last year’s loss at the World Championships is definitely motivating,” Burroughs said. “As an athlete, you feel invincible at times because you’ve been amazingly successful. It’s humbling because you know everybody else wants to win as much as I do. I want to put myself in the best position to be the best in the World again this year and next year. I know how hard I have to work to be the best again.”
Burroughs realizes first-hand the significance of what competing in the Olympics means for an athlete in his sport.
“Being considered one of the best athletes in the world, walking side-by-side with Simone, LeBron James and Kevin Durant and some of these amazing athletes and being considered one of their equals is pretty amazing,” Burroughs said.
Burroughs was asked what his goals would be if he wins a second Olympic gold medal in Rio?
“Win another one in Tokyo,” Burroughs said, referring to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
“Once you have that feeling of being on the top step and having the gold medal placed around your neck like what happened in London, I said I have to get back and I have to do it in Rio," Burroughs said. "And I know if that happens in Rio, I will be thinking about 2020.
“As I get older, I’m able to give it all I've got and go as long as I can. When I step away from the sport, I want to know that I have nothing left and that I’ve maximized everything I have been blessed with.”
For now, Burroughs is focused on the upcoming Worlds in Vegas. The 2015 Worlds are the main qualifier for the 2016 Olympic Games in wrestling.
“I’m very excited about Worlds,” Burroughs said. “The dynamics of this year’s World Championships has changed dramatically. We are on our home soil this year. We’re really looking forward to winning a World championship as a team. The last time the U.S. won a World (freestyle) team title was in 1995 in Atlanta. We can’t wait to get out there in Vegas and try to win another one.”
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