Jordan Burroughs, an American freestyle wrestler, recently earned another gold medal on the world circuit, but there is something different about this one. The 25 year old from Camden, New Jersey calls this year’s World finals win over Ezzatollah Akbarizarinkolaei the “biggest victory of his career”. Burroughs broke his ankle in an incident at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs not even four weeks prior to the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He had to have five screws placed in his ankle and needed crutches for nearly three weeks.

“He is the most dominant athlete in any sport. He’s a beast,” says recent Elder graduate and Jordan Burroughs’ biggest fan, Chris Mattress. “He refuses to lose and is an inspiration to all wrestlers. I used to try and be like him in mentality and in technique when I wrestled.”

Burroughs swept through the first three rounds of competition in his 74 kg/163 lbs. weight class at the World Championships registering three seven point technical falls. In his semifinals match Burroughs was down 1-0 before roaring back for a 7-1 win. Burroughs then won his 65th consecutive match on the senior circuit by downing Ezzatollah Akbarizarinkolaei of Iran 4-0 to win his third straight gold medal on the senior world level.

Burroughs said, “I’m in awe right now.” after defeating Akbarizarinkolaei according to an interview with ESPN. He also added that he had not even wrestled live until he was in Budapest after breaking his ankle.

“Originally I didn’t think I’d be able to compete after I heard the ‘bam! Snap,’” Burroughs said.

Burroughs has had to deal with injuries before and knows how great it feels to be able to come back and compete. He missed the entire 2010 season due to a knee injury after winning a National title in 2009 for Nebraska. Burroughs did in 2011 what he did this year; he came back strong as ever winning a second National title.

Burroughs is making his case for being the most dominant wrestler in not only America but in the World. He joined a select group by winning his third consecutive world title. Burroughs is not letting anything stand in his way, not even a broken ankle.