Rio Olympics 2016: American Jordan Burroughs upset in quarterfinals
On Thursday, the United States was on the right side of one of the most shocking upsets imaginable in Olympic wrestling.
On Friday, the script flipped. American freestyle wrestler Jordan Burroughs was considered one of the biggest favorites in any Olympic event heading into Rio. Instead, Burroughs was downed 3-2 in his 74-kilogram match against Russia’s Aniuar Geduev.
Burroughs won gold in the event in London in 2012. Entering his match on Friday, his international record was 129-2.
The scene featured a loud and heavy contingent for Burroughs. One post-match report:
I can only describe the scene here at wrestling as funereal. Burroughs wept in his wife’s arms. Pro-American crowd silent.
— Steve Politi (@StevePoliti) August 19, 2016
Burroughs was done in in part by a blind draw. Burroughs got behind early, down 3-0. He didn’t have enough to overtake Geduev. The unfortunate part of the draw was, really, this match was worthy of being the final one in the event. Geduev was considered by many to be Burroughs’ only real challenger for the gold. They wind up in the same section, and instead of meeting with a medal on the line, Burroughs goes down while Geduev will now be a heavy favorite to take gold.
Burroughs’ Olympic run isn’t over, though. He’ll wrestle in the consolation bracket, and if he wins out, that means bronze will be his for the taking on Sunday. He’ll need Geduev’s help, though. If the Russian loses, and was to be matched again vs. Burroughs, Geduev would not have to wrestle Burroughs again, and so the American would not have a chance to take bronze.
In addition to taking gold in the 74kg event in London, Burroughs won world championships in that weight class in 2011, 2013 and 2015.