- Burroughs, 35 years old and a professional since 2011, won gold 12 years ago in the same event.
- Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened to separate the pair.
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US Olympic wrestling gold medalist Jordan Burroughs faced a “classless” fan after his heartbreaking loss in trials for this summer’s games over the weekend.
On Friday, Burroughs, 35, lost to Penn State’s Jason Nolf, a three-time NCAA national champion, in the 74-kilogram challenger bracket final at the Bryce Jordan Center, as the result essentially ended the The veteran’s bid for the 2024 Olympics in Paris and possibly his wrestling career as well.
But before Burroughs had time to reflect on his possible retirement, a fan present interrupted the London 2012 gold medalist as he walked off the mat.
Viral footage posted by DC News Now’s Jake Rohm on social media shows the fan repeatedly yelling “the race is over” as Burroughs made his way through the tunnel.
The fighter stopped and responded to the fan: ‘Hey, what have you done?’
Jason Nolf (R) wrestles Jordan Burroughs (L) in a 74kg Challenger tournament final during the US Olympic Wrestling Trials held at the Bryce Jordan Center on Friday.
Wolf beat the 35-year-old 2012 London gold medalist and could end Burroughs’ career.
A fan present yelled at Burrough “the race is over” in the tunnel after the wrestling match.
Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened and suggested to the fan that he was drinking too much before yelling, “No class.”
Burroughs and Manning then walk away from the scene.
A native of New Jersey, Burroughs is among the most notable American wrestlers in the history of the sport.
Burroughs won gold in the men’s 74kg freestyle wrestling at the 2012 London Olympics.
A six-time world champion, he won his only Olympic gold medal just one year after turning professional in 2011. He also won several gold medals at the Pan American Games.
Before the United States trial for the 2024 Paris Olympics, he said New Jersey.com: ‘It’s sobering because the end is near. It could be six days from now or six months from now.
‘I take comfort in the fact that I love what I do, I’m good at what I do. I’ve been able to do it at a high level for a long time. It will be difficult, no doubt. I’ve been at this a long time, through multiple changes, multiple generations of greats. I’ve seen a lot of people come and go in this sport.
“But I’m happy with what I’ve done, who I’ve become and where I left the sport. When the time comes, it will be an emotional moment, but it won’t last because I know I’ve given everything I had. I won’t have any great ones. ‘