The Pan American champion defeated Iranian Asian Championships bronze medallist Ezzatollah Akbari to take the gold and push his unbeaten streak to an impressive 65-straight matches.

"This has been the most difficult World Championship for me so far," said Burroughs.

"I had to fight hard for the gold medal.

"I'm happy to still be the champion."

Although Akbari had to settle for the silver, it was his medal that helped Iran come from behind to overtake Russia and secure the team title of the World Championships - the nation's first men's freestyle title outside of Iran in 47 years.

The 74kg bronze medals went to Belarusian Olympian Ali Shabanau and Rashid Kurbanov of Uzbekistan.

Today also saw the beginning of the women's freestyle competition at the László Papp Budapest Sports Arena, with two silver medallists from last year's World Championships - a special event for women's freestyle held after the Olympics as three of the categories were not contested in London, going one better to take their respective world titles.

Eri Tosaka (blue) went one better than last year to win gold at the 2013
FILA World Championships


Japan's Eri Tosaka won the 48kg gold medal after defeating Mayelis Caripá of Venezuela, while China's Xu Cheng and American Alyssa Lampe took the bronze medals.

China's Sun Yanan, meanwhile, secured victory in the 51kg class over Mongolia's Erdenechimegiin Sumiyaa.

The pair of bronzes went to North Korean Asian Games champion So Sim-Hyang and Canada's Jessica MacDonald, who had won gold in the division at last year's World Championships.

Competition continues tomorrow with more women's freestyle in the 55kg - which will see three-time Olympic champion and ten-time world gold medallist Saori Yoshida of Japan taking to the mat, 59kg and 63kg - in which Yoshida's compatriot and fellow three-time Olympic champion Kaori Icho will be looking to defend the world title she has held since 2002.

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