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7 months ago
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US Olympic wrestling gold medalist Jordan Burroughs got into a confrontation with a 'classless' fan after his heartbreaking loss at 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 veteran's bid for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and possibly his wrestling career, too.
But, before Burroughs had time to ponder on thoughts to potentially retiring, a fan in attendance heckled at the 2012 London 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 'career is over,' while Burroughs was making his way down the tunnel.
The wrestler stopped and responded to the fan, 'Hey, what have you done?'
A fan in attendance yelled 'career's over' to Burroughs in the tunnel after the wrestling match
Jason Nolf (R) wrestles Jordan Burroughs (L) in a 74 kgs 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 potentially ending Burroughs' career
Jordan Burroughs walking off the mat for what looks like the final time in his illustrious career.
Classless act by a fan in attendance, yelling “career is over” at Burroughs.
Hell of a career by the most decorated wrestler in US history. #WrestlingTrials24 pic.twitter.com/VY4BXeMw3Z
Nebraska wrestling head coach Mark Manning intervened and suggested to the fan that he was drinking too much before shouting back, 'Classless.'
Burroughs and Manning then walk away from the scene.
A New Jersey native, Burroughs ranks among the most accomplished U.S. wrestlers in the history of the sport.
A six-time world champion, he won his sole Olympic gold medal only a year after going pro in 2011. He's also won several gold medals at the Pan American games.
Before U.S. trial for the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris, he told NJ.com: 'It's sobering because the end is near. It could be six days from now or six months from now.
'I take solace in the fact 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'll be hard unquestionably. I've been in it for so long, through multiple changes, multiple generations of greats. I've seen a lot of people come in and go in this sport.
'But I am content with what I've done, who I've become and the place I've left the sport. When the time comes, it will be an emotional moment, but it won't linger because I know I've given all I've had. I won't have any greats.'
English (US)