Interesting Facts About Rulon Gardner: Olympic Wrestling Champion

Winning Sydney gold in 2000, Rulon Gardner created one of the biggest sensations in Olympic wrestling history. His rival in the final in weight up to 130 kg was Alexander Karelin himself. Three-time Olympic champion and living legend, who has not lost a single fight in international competitions in 13 years. The American won and became a hero at home overnight. But soon Gardner had to experience all the hardships of star fever and save his career after an accident that almost cost him his life. So stay with us and check the interesting facts about Rulon Gardner! 

The Extraordinary Journey of an Ordinary Man

In a new documentary, Rulon, the Wyoming native talks about his life’s journey, from a provincial dairy farm to high-profile fame. The movie tells how persistence helped Gardner cope with many adversities and even avoid death. Gardner has learned the lessons of fate and is building a new life. In October 2020, he got married, lost 22 kg, and moved to St. George, Utah, where he hopes to open a wrestling training center for youth. Now, we invite you to read Gardner’s amazing story in our article.

Interesting Facts About Rulon Gardner: Hard Childhood

As a child, Rulon Gardner faced learning disabilities. It was hard for him at school. Peers hung labels on him, called him stupid and fat. Later, Gardner found success in a new place – and in a new world of sports for himself. If before the physique complicated the guy’s life, then later it became his trump card. Back in high school, Gardner became the Wyoming champion in wrestling and finished second in the shot throw. He soon won the Junior College Wrestling Championship in the United States and landed on the University of Nebraska American Football Team. With a variety of options, Gardner chose to focus on the fight.

The Future Olympic Champion: Life in Dairy Farm

Gardner worked for a long time in Wyoming on a 250 acre family dairy farm. He got up before dawn, carried bales of hay, chopped wood, milked the cows, and cleaned the barn. All this, in Gardner’s opinion, led to the fact that he physically matured early beyond his years. His family played an important role in the local Mormon community. Great-great-great-grandfather Archibald Gardner was a bishop and helped build the famous Salt Lake Temple.

The Day Gardner Defeated the Great Karelin

Most Olympic champions will say that you cannot become the best in the world without faith in yourself and your success. Gardner was never your typical athlete. Before his first Olympic final, he was already satisfied with the second place.

“I didn’t give myself a single chance,” Gardner replied to the Washington Post when asked if he believed that he could defeat Karelin. “Sometimes crazy things happen. I went into the fight with the thought: “Well, at least I guaranteed myself a silver medal.” However, according to online sportsbook sites in the USA Gardner showed character. Despite a formidable reputation as a rival, the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler in history, the American decided to try to win gold and put skeptics to shame. “I wanted to show this to all those who said that I could never achieve anything like this. But I was surprised, perhaps even more than they.” Bet on 1xBET Sportsbook for the upcoming Winter Olympics with the best odds offered.

Interesting Facts About Rulon Gardner: On the Verge of Death

The legendary fighter was on the verge of death several times. The first serious incident happened with Gardner in elementary school. During the lesson, during the “show and name” game, he accidentally shot himself in the stomach with a homemade crossbow. In 2002, two years after winning the Olympics, he was involved in a snowmobile incident. He fell behind his snowmobile friends, fell on the ice of the river, and spent the night in the cold with no cover or even a warm jacket. When rescuers arrived in the morning, Gardner had already suffered numerous frostbite. His toe was amputated.

This did not discourage the desire for adventure, and in the same year, Gardner had a motorcycle accident. In 2007, he almost died again. This time – in the crash of a light aircraft that fell into the lake. Three people who were on board swam for about an hour to the shore in water with a temperature of seven degrees, spent the night outside, but escaped serious consequences.

Interesting Facts About Rulon Gardner: Fight in MMA

Many wrestlers, thanks to their versatile training, subsequently try their hand at other combat sports. After winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Rulon Gardner ended his wrestling career and accepted an offer to compete in MMA. He traveled 9000 kilometers to Japan and met the Olympic judo champion, Hidehiko Yoshida. Despite the victory and solid prize money, Gardner immediately ended his career in MMA. It turned out to be far from being as glorious as the wrestling one. He also turned down an offer to try his hand at professional wrestling.

“The WWE offered me millions, but I didn’t agree,” Gardner said. “Mom said:” Did I bring up such a child? Is that how you want to be in the eyes of young Americans? ”

Interesting Facts About Rulon Gardner: Weight Problems and Reality Shows

After the end of his professional career, Gardner, with his physique, failed to keep his weight within normal limits. In 2011, he agreed to participate in the American reality show The Biggest Loser in order to lose weight. He weighed 215 kg. Having lost 78 kg, he left the project before its completion for personal reasons.

Since then, Rulon has regained weight but recently lost 13 kg after hiring a new personal trainer and eliminating sweets and convenience foods from the diet. His goal is to return to his combat weight, which is 120 kg.

Financial Stability After Bankruptcy

One of the most difficult moments in his life Gardner experienced in 2012 was when he had to file for bankruptcy. Unsuccessful investments, for example, in a hot spring resort and a gym, turned out to be three million dollars in debt. Gardner had to auction all the Olympic awards and mementos, as well as some of his cars. After he established financial affairs, he managed to buy most of the Olympic medals won with sweat and blood. Today he can proudly show them off to his students.

Gardner takes advice from business mentors and lives a more stable life. He sells insurance, serves as an occupational safety app ambassador, gives motivational speeches in schools and businesses. He also does not lose connection with sports – he works as a wrestling coach in high school. “All I can do is use life experience to convey knowledge to our youth,” he says in the film. “I hope they see it. I was a good fighter. But I want to become even better as a coach.”

So this was the untold true story with 7 Interesting facts about Rulon Gardner. If you want to find more inspirational stories like this, check out our article about the Paralympian Egor Firsov: the rower without legs. In case you didn’t know the Paralympic Games are still on. You can place your bet on it by visiting the online sportsbook sites in the USA. 1xBET Sportsbook has special bets for all the Paralympic events.

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