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Post by : Rohit Dhiman
Cleveland: American wrestling star Jordan Burroughs is making an unexpected return to competitive action after previously believing that his career on the mat had come to an end. The Olympic champion will compete again under Real American Freestyle, a new professional wrestling promotion that aims to create more opportunities for athletes to earn money from the sport. The 38-year-old Burroughs retired from international competition after the 2024 world championships. However, his desire to compete never disappeared. The launch of the professional promotion gave him a reason to return to training and consider another major challenge.
Burroughs won Olympic gold at the 2012 London Games and has also collected six world championship titles. His latest comeback is not only about competing professionally. He is also considering an ambitious attempt to make the United States team for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. A return to the Olympic stage would be a difficult challenge because Burroughs would be around 40 years old by the time of the Los Angeles Games. Despite the odds, the decorated wrestler believes he still has the ability to compete at the highest level. The possibility of competing at a home Olympics is also a major motivation for him. Representing the United States on home soil would add another emotional dimension to an already remarkable career.
Burroughs has spent the past two months training every day at his youth wrestling club in New Jersey. His immediate focus is on a pair of professional contests arranged through the promotion. His first scheduled bout is against Sean Brady in Cleveland. He will then face former world champion Magomed Kurbanaliev in Moscow on September 5 as part of the promotion's second international event. The comeback is also important to Burroughs because he wants young wrestlers at his club to see what dedication and perseverance can achieve. He believes demonstrating his own journey can inspire students to set ambitious goals.
Real American Freestyle was launched with the goal of giving wrestlers a professional platform and better financial opportunities. The organization has also introduced youth competitions through its RAF Next Gen program. The promotion recently held an international event in Tbilisi, where Kyle Snyder defeated fellow former world and Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev in front of a large crowd. RAF co-founder and chief executive Chad Bronstein said the organization wants to expand its events internationally. Discussions are reportedly taking place for possible events in India, the Middle East, Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Japan.
The professional wrestling model is attracting attention because athletes have traditionally had limited opportunities to earn money outside major competitions such as the Olympics and world championships. Burroughs believes the new format can help change that situation and give elite wrestlers a stronger professional identity. His return therefore represents more than an individual comeback. It also reflects the changing landscape of wrestling and the growing effort to create sustainable professional opportunities for athletes.
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Who is Jordan Burroughs?
Jordan Burroughs is an American Olympic and world champion wrestler who won Olympic gold in 2012.
Why is Jordan Burroughs returning?
He wants to compete professionally again and is also considering an attempt to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Where will he compete?
His comeback begins in Cleveland, followed by an international bout in Moscow.
What is Real American Freestyle?
It is a professional wrestling promotion designed to provide wrestlers with competitive and financial opportunities.
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