Jordan Burroughs at 'Beat The Streets' Team USA Vs The World (IMAGE: Getty)

"I hate that someone has to lose"-Jordan Burroughs on Sarah Hildebrandt vs Vinesh Phogat gold medal match at Paris Olympics 2024

Modified Aug 06, 2024 22:01 GMT

American wrestling legend Jordan Burroughs took to social media platform X after an enthralling first day of action in women's 50kg wrestling at the Paris Olympics. The two finalists for the event have been decided.

Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Sarah Hildebrandt defeated Mongolian Otgonjargal Dolgorjav 5-0 to seal her maiden Olympics final berth.

However, it was India's Vinesh Phogat who stole the spotlight on the day. She beat the reigning champion Yui Susaki 3-2 by points. The Japanese wrestler previously had an international record of 82-0 and had not conceded even a single point in her win in Tokyo 2020. Phogat beat her in a nail-biting opening bout.

The Indian then defeated Ukraine's Oksana Livach and Cuba's Yusneylys Guzman to become the first Indian woman to reach a wrestling final at the Olympics.

The gold medal match will result in a maiden Olympic gold for the winner, with both contenders hoping to write their names into wrestling's history books.

Following the conclusion of the semifinals, American wrestler and London 2012 gold medalist in the Men's 74kg wrestling, Jordan Burroughs, posted about the blockbuster encounter on his X account:

" I hate that someone has to lose." (via X)

He also added a popcorn emoji, displaying his excitement for the summit clash.

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Why is Jordan Burroughs not competing at the Paris Olympics?

Jordan Burroughs ahead of his successful London Olympics campaign (IMAGE: Getty)

With six World Championships and an Olympic gold in a bursting trophy cabinet, Jordan Burroughs is the greatest wrestler in US history and a bonafide legend of the sport.

However, the 2012 gold medalist did not make it out of the US Olympic trials to qualify for Paris.

In the twilight of an illustrious career, the 36-year-old announced that he would retire at the end of the current wrestling cycle - be it after the Summer Games should he qualify, or after the trials if he lost.

At the trials, Burroughs won his first two matches against Penn State University grapplers Alex Facundo and Mitchell Mesenbrink. He then met three-time NCAA champion Jason Nolf in the 74kg challenge final, whose winner would then play Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Kyle Dake in the Olympic Trials Final.

However, a passivity point in the first period and a takedown right at the start of the second led to a 0-3 loss for him. Burroughs was an eleven-time member of the US Olympic or World Teams.