#ThrowbackThursday: Jordan Burroughs video interview after winning his first World gold in 2011

In the spring of 2011, Jordan Burroughs had completed his college career at Nebraska, winning his second NCAA title and winning the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's best college wrestler. He quickly turned his sights towards international freestyle.


This is when the international legend of Jordan Burroughs truly began, when he quickly became one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the nation, and then in the world. He won the U.S. Open, then qualified for his first U.S. Senior World Team with a victory in the World Team Trials. Burroughs then started making his name at the international level by winning the Ukrainian Memorial International.


The true test for him came at the 2011 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. Burroughs opened with s 3-1, 4-2 win over Dymtro Rochniak of Ukraine. In his second match, he drew two-time World champion Denis Tsargush of Russia. After losing the first period 1-3, Burroughs came back to take the next two periods, 1-0 and 2-1, and advanced. With wins against Ricardo Moreno of Venezuela and Ashraf Aliyev of Azerbiajan, he advanced to the finals against Sadegh Goudarzi of Iran.


This interview occurred right after Burroughs stepped off the mat in Istanbul after beating Goudarzi, 3-2, 4-1, for his first World gold medal.


Editor's Note: Burroughs' current trophy case includes a 2012 Olympic gold, four World golds and two World bronzes.


TheMat.com homepage photo of Jordan Burroughs celebrating his 2011 World title by Larry Slater.