The American five-time world freestyle wrestling champion and former Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs gave an exclusive interview for the Bulgarian “TV+”. The 30-year-old claimed gold in the freestyle 74 kg category at the “Dan Kolov” tournament that took place in Bulgaria from February 28 to March 3.
Here’s what the Sicklerville native had to say about his journey and his future:
“I had a long and successful journey with the wrestling. My first World Championship was back in 2011 in Istanbul and until this day I’m still enjoying the battles I have with the elite wrestlers. It’s getting tougher with every season. I’m 30 and the young guys are getting stronger and more technical. When I’m on the road, there is nothing I miss more than my family, but I still enjoy the sport”, the wrestler said.
The goal he has in his mind is to retire after the Olympic games next summer in Tokyo with the gold medal around his neck. The American made his debut in the “Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov” tournament, where he also captured the gold.
“The tournament in Bulgaria was outstanding and it was a new experience for me. I’ve been in Europe a lot of times, but that was my first time in Bulgaria. I really enjoyed the city of Ruse. The Bulgarian fans can be really loud and that’s important for us, the wrestlers. We feed off the crowd. I’ll remember my time here with the gold I won. And believe me, it wasn’t easy”, the 2012 Olympic champion added.
Burroughs reminisced on the times he trained with the UFC megastar Conor McGregor before his fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov last fall.
“There is no chance I’ll go to the UFC. No way. I don’t like getting hit. It was fun doing work with Conor, though. But my thing is wrestling. There is way more style here than there is in the MMA.
When I retire, I want to set up my own wrestling academy and maybe someday I’ll develop someone far better than me”, Burroughs said.
