The blind draw cost USA’s Jordan Burroughs a chance for repeat gold.
Burroughs, the defending gold medalist in freestyle wrestling at the 74-kilogram weight division, lost to Russia’s Aniuar Geduev on Friday morning in a hard-fought quarterfinal match. Geduev took a 3-0 lead early in the match, and despite a late surge from Burroughs, Geduev was able to hang on and win 3-2.
Many pundits had Burroughs and Geduev as two of the favorites heading into the Olympics, and it was only through the (bad) luck of the draw that the two drew each other in the quarterfinals.
After the match, Burroughs walked over to a section of American fans and reached up to hug his wife, Lauren. He then walked past the press with his head down, quiet. His coach held an arm around the wrestler as they walked. Both declined to take questions.
While the loss was certainly disappointing, Burroughs’ quest for a medal isn’t over. If Geduev makes the final, Burroughs will get a chance to enter the repechage, or consolation, bracket and wrestle for bronze.
It was only the third loss of Burroughs’ career and first since 2014.
