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First Posted: 9/18/2013

(AP) American Jordan Burroughs earned another wrestling world title on Wednesday.


Burroughs, a gold medalist at the 2012 Olympics, extended his undefeated streak to 65 matches with a 4-0 victory over Iran’s Ezzatollah Akbarizarinkolaei in the 163-pound category at the Laszlo Papp Sports Arena.


After the final, Burroughs revealed that he suffered a broken ankle while running sprints during training on Aug. 22 in Colorado Springs, Colo. He had surgery the next day and recovered quickly.


“I’m in awe right now,” Burroughs said after the final. “This is definitely the biggest victory of my career.”


Burroughs said he still has five screws and a plate in his left ankle to provide stability. He estimated he was at 75-80 percent full strength when he arrived in Budapest for the world championships.


Burroughs, who won two NCAA championships at the University of Nebraska, was defending the title he earned in Istanbul in 2011.


He complimented Akbarizarinkolaei for his effort. The Iranian, who also lost to Burroughs at the World Cup in Tehran in February, kept his rival from scoring during the early stage of the match and Burroughs’ four points against him were the fewest the New Jersey native scored in his five matches in the event.


“He definitely gave me my best test of the day, but I was able to pull it out so I’m extremely happy,” said Burroughs, who rejoined his teammates this week. “The last time they saw me I was on crutches, now they’re looking at me and I’m winning world titles. Amazing.”


Burroughs also defeated opponents from Tajikistan, India and Azerbaijan. In the semifinals, his rival, Ali Shabanau of Belarus, was disqualified after cautions for repeated attacks to the face.


Associated Press