What a Picture

[moveurfeet32 99]

2 Olympic Wrestlers here

 

Jordan Burroughs

 

2thSpon2sohhrgefda  · 

*Record scratch* This is me. You’re probably wondering how I got here.

This photo is from 2005. I was a junior in high school, and I had just experienced the biggest loss of my career up until that point. Check out my face. Devastation.

I wrestled at 125 pounds, and that year I made an improbable run to the New Jersey state finals. Just three seconds before this image was captured, I was on the brink of pulling off the impossible and becoming only the second state champion in my school’s history.

I was so close to every sixteen year old athlete’s dream — name in the newspaper, a fresh varsity jacket, and bragging rights in the school hallway on Monday. But a lot can happen in 3 seconds.

My opponent escaped in our second overtime period, scoring the match winning point, and then, this picture was taken. Shortly after, I crumbled to the floor in tears. My coach had to come pick me up off the mat.

It hurt, but eventually the pain eases and is replaced with a burning desire to try again.

At the state tournament the following year, that overtime loss fueled me, and after four long years, I finally became a state champion as a senior.

And I never looked back.

I won a single state championship in high school and 15 years later, I’ve won more world titles than state titles.

Being great in this sport resembles a marathon, not a sprint.

I was never a highly ranked youth wrestler. I never wrestled at Fargo and I had only ONE scholarship offer.

Yet here I am.

You want the truth? Here it is: when you’re young, winning isn’t as important as developing strong principals and good habits. Those are the tools that render longevity, not just victory. All losses should be taken as lessons. Let them settle down deep in your core. You’ll need ‘em.

Because while our records don’t define us, they can propel us. Sometimes our best work comes after defeat, as long as you remain coachable and enthusiastic. Who knows what YOUR next 15 years will look like.

PS. The guy that I lost to, that’s

Frank Molinaro

. Years later we became Olympic teammates, and are still good friends. Very different paths, but life has come full circle. Thanks for the lessons!

-JB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 8 by moveurfeet32

[Le duke 84]

I’m confused. Was Molinaro moved up a spot by the relegation/removal of someone ahead of him? I’m a PSU fan, and a GH fan, but he’s not an Olympic medalist.

[nhs67 1,053]

10 minutes ago, Le duke said:

I’m confused. Was Molinaro moved up a spot by the relegation/removal of someone ahead of him? I’m a PSU fan, and a GH fan, but he’s not an Olympic medalist.

He is now.  Two gents in front of him popped.

[moveurfeet32 99]

17 minutes ago, Le duke said:

I’m confused. Was Molinaro moved up a spot by the relegation/removal of someone ahead of him? I’m a PSU fan, and a GH fan, but he’s not an Olympic medalist.

I'm Wrong for some reason I thought he won Bronze

[JasonBryant 1,675]

45 minutes ago, nhs67 said:

He is now.  Two gents in front of him popped.

Cite your source please. I haven't heard this and the IOC hasn't reflected the chart.

https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016/wrestling/freestyle-65-kg-men

 

[bnwtwg 479]

1 hour ago, nhs67 said:

He is now.  Two gents in front of him popped.

You're thinking of Tervel

[MadMardigain 1,271]

1 hour ago, moveurfeet32 said:

I'm Wrong for some reason I thought he won Bronze

He lost to Chamizo in the bronze match to take 5th. 

[nhs67 1,053]

2 hours ago, JasonBryant said:

Cite your source please. I haven't heard this and the IOC hasn't reflected the chart.

https://www.olympic.org/rio-2016/wrestling/freestyle-65-kg-men

 

Aye as bnw said, wrong gent.  Apologies.

1 hour ago, bnwtwg said:

You're thinking of Tervel

Corrected.  Thank you, ser.

[olddirty 273]

Thats a great message from a competitor.  There is no fuel like a high pressure loss.

[moveurfeet32 99]

[moveurfeet32 99]

[HurricaneWrestling2 581]

 

Edited February 10 by HurricaneWrestling2