Sibling rivalry helped fuel Brian Burburija to back-to-back titles

Clearwater Countryside’s Brian Burburija celebrates winning the Class 2A state title in the 195-pound weight class at Silver Spurs Arena this past March. (Brant Parsons/Kabra Wrestling)

BY BRANT PARSONS —Clearwater Countryside’s Brian Burburija had a driving goal to win two Florida state wrestling titles — he had to at least match his older brother Anthony’s two state titles.

Back in March, the younger Burburija brother capped a 60-0 season with a Class 2A state at 195 pounds and with it, earned some ammunition for family get-togethers with his second high school state crown.

“He has always motivated me,” Burburija said. “I always wanted to be better than him and I always strive to one-up him on pretty much everything.”

The two brothers, who still wrestle with each other at any chance they get, finished with four state titles between them but the younger brother had hoped to earn three.

After finishing in second place his sophomore season, Burburija was motivated even more to finish out his high school career strong.

“I kind of missed my opportunity there but I think I’ve made it up in other aspects of my wrestling,” Burburija said.

After winning his first state championship as a junior, Burburija entered his senior season a heavy favorite to win a second. He pushed himself during the season to stay mentally strong and healthy while also taking challenges on the mat like finishing first at the Knockout Christmas Classic.

“That was the big thing, making sure I didn’t get hurt or get something like a ringworm,” Burburija said. “I had to make sure to say clean and make sure I stayed healthy.”

Along with staying healthy, Burburija knew there was no other option for him than finishing first.

“I kind of had to keep my mindset focused and not get cocky and just be a machine and go straight at it.”

This summer, Burburija will report for duty to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While learning at the Academy, he’ll also compete for the Air Force wrestling team.

The idea of attending a service academy cemented after watching Anthony attend the Naval Academy.

“I knew wrestling would eventually come to an end and I wanted to get somewhere past wrestling,” Burburija said. “I knew the academy was one of the places I could go and my brother opened my eyes to the opportunities that the academies offer.”

“I knew they would set me up for life, they gave me a military life, and allowed me to wrestle at the Division I level and serve my country. I think that was the main thing, it opens a ton of doors for your life and you can pretty much accomplish whatever you want through the academies.”

While Burburija works to excel in the Air Force Academy in both the classroom and on the mat, in the end, one of the biggest motivations likely will come from something that has pushed him all along.

A good old fashioned sibling rivalry.

“I think I’m definitely getting past him,” Burburija said. “And he knows that and is getting scared.”

Brian Burburija joined his brother Anthony Burburija as a two-time state champion for Clearwater Countryside. (Brant Parsons/Kabra Wrestling)

STATE CHAMPION FEATURES

Kabra Wrestling is looking to feature as many state champions as we can over the next few months and tell a little story about what makes them special.

If you won a state championship and would like to be featured, please contact Kabra Wrestling to set up an interview.

2023 State Champions

3A-106: Andrew Punzalan (Cypress Bay)

3A-113: Tyler Washburn (Palmetto Ridge)

3A-120: Luis Acevedo (South Dade)

3A-126: Ethan Vugman (Bartram Trail)

3A-132: Cavarius Liddie (Buchholz)

3A-138: Elvis Solis (South Dade)

3A-145: Anderson Heap (Kissimmee Osceola)

3A-152: Cooper Haase (Kissimmee Osceola)

3A-160: Adrian Ochoa (Southwest Miami)

3A-170: Lawrence Rosario (South Dade)