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After 16 weeks on the show, Gardner had lost 173 pounds. When I was in high school, I wrestled 7 days a week and even quite a bit in the offseason and never had a pair of shoes last as long as myGold Rulons. $499.00. If you look at it, my first tournament was the Olympic Festival in 1993 and my second tournament was 1994. Man struck, killed by FrontRunner in Clearfield, Utah budget: Lawmakers finalize record $29 billion budget. To this day they are in great condition. After reaching his competitive training weight, Rulon chose to leave the show in support of his wife and to begin the next chapter of his life. 15-year-old boy dies after being found in crashed car with gunshot wounds, Utah father investigated for child abuse weeks before murder-suicide, Police say man killed by Farmington officers had gun; victim's mom filed suit over other traffic stop, Asteroid-bashing spacecraft was out of this world, 'phenomenally successful', Suspect in Dylan Rounds disappearance charged with murder, 14-year-old uses social media to track down man accused of robbing him, Robinson sparks BYU basketball past Portland in WCC tourney opener, West Jordan High teacher arrested, accused of sexual conduct with student, Trapped fox 'severely' injures dog in Draper, prompts warning from city. He said he originally got into wrestling because it got him out of having to do farm work in the long, cold winter days, but the ultimate results were something bigger, including developing stronger work habits despite his attempt at escaping his chores. The rules have improved so much since then, both GR and FS (folkstyle, too). It's not about winning medals. Rulon learned about hard work and determination which became core values in Rulon Gardners life. Massive news in the wrestling world as 2000 Olympic Champion and the man who "did the impossible" has announced that he will be making a return to competitive wrestling and target the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. He also works as an insurance agent at JRI Insurance in Payson, Utah. However, he had to win a number of matches to get to the Gold medal round. (2003). I bought my first pair of Rulon's when I was a sophomore in high school and I bought them slightly used. Gardner, the youngest of nine children, grew up on a dairy farm in Afton, Wyo. 2023 National Wrestling Hall Of Fame. Class Senior; Position PLAYER; Weight 285; Hometown Afton, Wyo. rudy restaurant toronto. Future Films to . SYDNEY, Australia -- Rulon Gardner did the unthinkable. The blue and red colorways are in the middle. But Gable won his gold in the same year as Mark Spitz won seven. Phone: (405) 377-5243 Former Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner garnered a lot of criticism when he walked off of Season 11 of The Biggest Loser in hopes of jump starting his wrestling career. All I can do is use the experiences of my life to inject knowledge into our youth, Gardner says in the film. southern spain temperature by month August 16, 1971 - Present. Rulon Gardner will call right back. He knows a few things about planning for the unexpected and would be happy to answer your questions about any type of insurance. [7] Gardner shocked the trainers, staff, and contestants on the April 26 episode by announcing he would be leaving the show "for personal reasons", and left the show without a final weigh-in. After coaching three years at Herriman High School, Gardner moved to Southern Utah, where hell be an assistant wrestling coach at Dixie State University beginning this year. Entry #1 of the USA Greco Gold Medal Series features 2000 Olympic/2001 World Champion Rulon Gardner speaking about his career. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. But he was often thwarted by Gardner early in his career and placed seventh in his . American Olympian who competed in the 2000 Olympic games in Greco-Roman wrestling, winning a gold medal in the 130 kg weight class. Region 10 football coaches, players to talk upcoming season at first-ever Fox Sports Southern Utah media day, Fox Sports Southern Utah wraps stellar first year on the airwaves, with more excitement to come, Canseco, Hurst, community combine to raise $15K for Washington County Childrens Justice Center, Paid summer internships available across Utah's public lands, Gabby Petito's family files amended lawsuit against Moab police, 3 agencies combine to help rapeller who fell in mountains above Snow Canyon. [16] He attended both Ricks and Nebraska on wrestling scholarships. . Blue, Silver and Black, which are known as "Brulons". Rulon Gardner is man who thrives in the face of challenge. I wore them for an entire summer and 2 full high school wrestling season. weight class at the 1993 NCAA Championships, earning All-American honors. My mom said, Is this the kid that I raised? Because of the durability of these shoes, Asics still uses the sole on their Aggressor line 15+ years later. Some of the unwelcome nicknames given to him included Dumbo, and later Fatso due to his size. After the radio interview, St. George News asked Gardner if he feels lucky to be alive. Rulon came back to the Olympics in 2004 to defend his title and took home the Bronze medal. orange rulon wrestling shoes size 10 asics rulons. Gardner was honored with the 2000 James E. Sullivan Award, the 2000 ESPY for Male Olympic Athlete and the 2000 U.S. Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year. Rulon is currently making his profession as a motivational speaker, often appearing as a keynote presenter and event host. Rulon began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued with the wrestling seasons until he graduated with a degree in physical education from the University of Nebraska. It's about committing to improving yourself every day in every situation., Things are going to be tough and there's going to be setbacks. Today, Gardner has taken the lessons learnt and built a new life for himself. As a wrestling shoe collector for over 10 years, I'm constantly trying to buy new shoes and learn the history behind them. After losing 173lbs, he decided to leave the programme early for personal reasons. The astonishing true story of Rulon Gardner, a dairy farmer from Wyoming who shocked the world at the Sydney Olympics, overcoming 2000 to 1 odds by defeating a Russian wrestler who hadn't lost a single match in 13 years. Never Stop Pushing is a motivational autobiography by Olympic Greco-Roman champion wrestler Rulon Gardner (Gold Medal, 2000; Bronze Medal, 2004). On 1/25/2023 at 9:18 AM, Ponzi said: Here's the answer: John Smith. Rulon Gardner gained a wrestling scholarship from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and became a NJCAA national heavyweight wrestling champion in his sophomore year. Karelin had been undefeated for 13 years, and had not given up a point in six years, prior to his loss in the gold medal match to Gardner. Rulon is now a dynamic speaker and coach who shares his stories of triumph and loss to motivate and encourage others to fight for their dreams. He survived a snowmobile accident and a plane crash, losing a toe in the former and nearly drowning in the latter. Years of hard farm work and tussling with his older brothers helped him earn high school All-State honors as a defensive tackle in football and a state championship in wrestling. One of the Greco-Roman grapplers lowest moments came in 2012, when he filed for bankruptcy. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, Rulon continued his Olympic wrestling pursuit with full-time dedication. 1645. Olympic gold medal winner; wrestling. Gardner returned to the top of the podium the next year, becoming the first U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler in history to win both a World and Olympic gold medal. But what I realized I did have was an opportunity. That's a good thing for Gardner, who now weighs in at more than 400 pounds and can use the months to get back to . In the new Olympic Channel documentary Rulon, the Wyoming native shares his personal journey, from humble roots growing up on a dairy farm to finding fame, and how his resilience helped him to overcome adversity, and multiple near-death experiences. He was quietly confident going into the 2000 Games in spite of the fact that legendary heavyweight Karelin, undefeated in 13 years and already the owner of three Olympic gold medals, stood in his way. Greg@CowboyStateDaily.com. Biography. That prove-them-wrong attitude fueled Gardner when he pulled off what some say is the greatest sports upset of all time. Aside from his Olympic medals, his achievements include: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He surprised himself as well. Then, weeks before the Olympic Trials while playing basketball, Gardner broke his hand in several places and had to have pins inserted. @5PtMove. Rulon Gardner (17 . Rulon wrestling shoeswere released in the early 2000s and named after the 2000 Olympic champ Rulon Gardner. Personally I've owned 7 or 8 pairs of these shoes, but have always worn my Gold's. Gold medal-winning Olympic wrestler Rulon Gardner and three other swam for an hour in cold water to reach the shore and survived overnight without shelter or fire. Two-time Olympian and wrestling legend Rulon Gardner released a statement Wednesday morning regarding his abrupt decision to quit 'The Biggest Loser' even though some considered him the . He says he flew off the bike, but instinctively rolled as he had been trained in wrestling, and received only minor injuries. He was an All-State selection in both football and wrestling, and was also the 1989 Wyoming wrestling state heavyweight champion. An outstanding ambassador for the sport of wrestling in the United States, Rulon Gardner is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In 2004, he won a bronze medal at the Olympics. He hadnt lost in 13 years, and he hadnt surrendered a point in six years before the Olympics. I dont know if its lucky, or more blessed, Gardner said. Then in March, Gardner was going about 30 miles an hour on his motorcycle when he hit a car. Rulon Gardner: "I think it made me appreciate life more. After falling into the river four times, Rulon was unable to move any farther and he decided to build a shelter and wait for a rescue team. Hes been interviewed by every major late night television host, and St. George News caught up with him in June at a wrestling camp he conducted at the Washington County Fairgrounds. He attended Ricks College, winning the national junior college title in 1991 after finishing third the year before. The youngest of nine children, Rulon Gardner was born to Reed and Virginia Gardner on August 16, 1971. Press J to jump to the feed. Karelin loses first-ever international match. That's because the 51-year-old former Olympic . archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. His win made him the only American to ever win both a World and Olympic title in Greco-Roman wrestling. National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum, Bob Siddens Iowa High School Coaching Excellence Award, Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year, Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Legacy Award, Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Leadership Award, George Tragos and Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Inductee. He then earned a scholarship to attend the University of NebraskaLincoln. The sun began to lower and the temperature, which had been twenty-five degrees, began to drop. Rulon Gardner. Rulon Gardner caused one of the greatest upsets in Olympic wrestling history when he won gold at Olympic Games Sydney 2000. @TeamUSA. Ultimately, his snowmobile became stuck between two large boulders. In the years after that pinnacle moment, Gardner faced many other challenges far greater adversity than just wrestling opponents. He also has licensing deals, as well as print and television endorsements. However, more daunting than what happened on the wrestling mat was what happened in the classroom. Rulon Gardner. He attributes his strength to the physical labor that he performed growing up and working on the family's dairy farm.[4]. Gardner was born on Aug. 16, 1971, in Afton, in western Wyoming's Star Valley near the Idaho border. In the years after that pinnacle moment, Gardner faced many other challenges far greater adversity than just wrestling opponents. In January 2011, he was announced as a contestant on season 11 of the American reality television show, The Biggest Loser. Spencer Lee (shared award) To me the big surprise is no Gable and no Cael. Phone: (319) 233-0745 We really dont have that here in the St. George area, so were trying to lift wrestling across the board and get it a lot better, Gardner said. Gardner's win "shocked the wrestling world." [23], On December 31, 2004, Gardner fought Hidehiko Yoshida in a judo vs wrestling mixed martial arts (MMA) bout for the Pride Fighting Championships at an event named PRIDE Shockwave 2004. Rulon has never dwelled on the negatives in his life. They came in 4 colorways and the Gold are typically worth the most. His opponent in the 130kg Greco-Roman final was The Russian bear Aleksandr Karelin, a three-time Olympic champion who had not lost an international bout in 13 years. Gardner won a bronze medal at the 2004 Games. All ages and levels are welcome. Email: dgmstaff@nwhof.org, Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Roman Inductee. Is this who you want to be to the youth of America?". He remained stranded for the next 18 hours. If there is a style of wrestling that doesn't got harder when you get older it's Greco Roman wrestling. Rulon Gardiner shocked the wrestling world in Sydney 2000 when he beat Alexandre Kareline. If you have questions about old-school wrestling shoes, shoot me a message. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. Typically Rulons that are still in great shape, but worn, can go for $300 to $400+. He was quietly confident going into the 2000 Games in spite of the fact that legendary heavyweight Karelin, undefeated in 13 years and already the owner of three Olympic gold medals, stood in his way. Due to the physical damage, a saw had to be used to remove his boots. All Rights Reserved. Stillwater, OK 74075 Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. He was on a reality show. He was unable to repeat his 2000 performance, coming away with the Bronze medal, and after his match, he placed his shoes in the middle of the mat as a symbol of retirement from competitive wrestling. I was good enough to be a good wrestler, good enough to make the Olympic team. Yea the clinch was the biggest bs rule. Years of hard farm work and tussling with his older . Since building this site, I've only owned 2 pair of Rulons and the Legend Aggressors with Rulon on them. I have a few pairs of these inmy Asics collectionand I can 100% give them my endorsement as a great shoe. "Rulon Gardner Won't Die" Featuring Olympic Champion Wrestler to Premiere on 3 June 2020. He won four National Open Greco-Roman Championships at heavyweight, finished second four times and third twice. I really find it amusing how people think that Gardner winning does mean he is the better wrestler Also, I think Karelin really underperformed at this match Karelin couldnt get the reverse body lift thats where Rulon won the match and keeping Karelin on his heels in the hand fighting. Phone: (405) 377-5243 pinkberry gossip girl. His family were also a key part of the Mormon community. Rulon's wrestling career began when he was 6 years old. The American gold medallist stars in the Olympic Channel film 'Rulon', which will be released on Friday, 2nd April 2021. Gardner returned to the top of the podium the next year, becoming the first U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler in history to win both a World and Olympic gold medal. After 16 weeks on the show, Gardner had lost 173 pounds! [5], In 2012, Gardner and his wife Kami filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in a Salt Lake City Federal court, with $2.9 million in liabilities. His second great grandfather was Archibald Gardner,[3] who was one of the early settlers of Star Valley, Wyoming. Rulons wrestling career began when he was six years old. But, Rulon went 4-0 at the . minutes. In February of 2002 Rulon Gardner spent 18 freezing hours in wet clothes and boots that turned to solid ice when he slipped down a steep canyon into a river with his snowmobile. Wrestling for the University of Nebraska, he finished fourth in the 1993 NCAA Championships. Rulon Gardner cartwheeled into the hearts of all Americans when he upset the seemingly invincible Russian Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. @RulonGardner. Against harrowing odds, Rulon emerged as the victor. [21], Gardner attempted a comeback for the 2012 Olympics[22] but was unable to make the 264.5 pound max weight limit for the U.S. Olympic Trials and therefore ineligible to compete for a position on the Olympic team. They spent the night in freezing temperatures with no fire or shelter. Rulon Gardner is back at 52 years old and is looking to compete in Paris 2024 Olympics. He was fifth in the World Championships in 1997. It was right at the beginning of my career. When he was eventually rescued, he was experiencing hypothermia and severe frostbite. Day to day, Nolan works for a Digital Marketing Agency. His first major accident happened when Gardner was in elementary school, and had his abdomen punctured by an arrow during a show and tell. No . Rulon Gardner has had a lifetime of being told he wasn't good enough, wasn't talented enough and that his lofty goals were out of reach. Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. Even that might have ended his wrestling career. Will Utah remove income tax restrictions, cut sales tax on food? In 2002, Gardner went snowmobiling with some friends in the mountains surrounding Star Valley, Wyoming. Rulon Gardner cartwheeled into the hearts of all Americans when he upset the seemingly invincible Russian Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. The wrestler has almost lost his life several times. Everyday in life, you give 100% for the chance to be successful in those situations.. Until then, you can get a taster of Gardners amazing story below. Rulon Ellis Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is an American retired Greco-Roman Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler. His body temperature dropped down to 80-degrees. This page was last edited on 4 July 2022, at 12:03. Rulon had placed only as high as 5th in the world before 2000. Our Mission: To honor the sport of wrestling by preserving its history, recognizing extraordinary individual achievements, and inspiring future generations, 405 West Hall of Fame Avenue [2] Karelin was previously unbeaten for 13 years in international competition. Rulon Gardner, the U.S. wrestler who pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Olympic history, was recently named head wrestling coach at Herriman High School in Utah. Aleksandr Karelin is probably the greatest living athlete. Two years later, after losing a toe in a snowmobiling accident, he won the 2003 World Team Trials and finished 10th in World competition. Typically I see Gold Rulons be worth the most and Orange worth the least. Russian super heavyweight Aleksandr Karelin hadn't lost an . It has been nearly 20 years since you first met the legend, who outmuscled logic and outlasted an immortal. prairie view elementary staff directory; accident a39 bideford today. Waterloo, Iowa 50701 Tony compiled a record of 35 wins, with only 2 losses throughout this season. The underdog shocked the world, dethroning Aleksandr Karelin of Russia and becoming . Rulon Gardner: "And for me growing up here in a small town, I wanted to go out an prove that I was good enough to get a college education. Things are going to be tough and there's going to be setbacks. As a senior in high school, The Wyoming native won a state wrestling title and placed second in the shot put. Rulon Gardner caused one of the greatest upsets in Olympic wrestling history when he won gold at Olympic Games Sydney 2000. . The American gold medallist stars in the Olympic Channel film 'Rulon', which will be released on Friday, 2nd April 2021. This archived news story is available @Olympics. Since turning his life around financially, hes been able to reclaim most of it, and today is able to show his hard-won Olympic medals to his students. Rulon began a regular wrestling season while in junior high and continued with the wrestling seasons until he graduated with a degree in physical education from the University of Nebraska. Rulon Gardner. After the Athens Olympics, Rulon had gained 210 pounds, culminating in total body weight of 474 pounds. He was warned that hed never get through the program. In doing so, he immediately captured the admiration of Americans, winning the gold medal in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. Rulon Gardner. [17], In 2001, Gardner added a world championship to his list of accomplishments with a victory in the finals over Mihaly Deak-Bardos of Hungary. Rulon Gardner/College From Ricks College, Rulon Gardner received a division 1 scholarship to wrestle for the University of Nebraska. Then in 2004, despite coming back from life threatening snowmobile injuries, he managed a Bronze at those Olympics. Gardner attended junior college at Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho) in Rexburg, Idaho, and as a sophomore won the NJCAA national heavyweight wrestling championship. Email: dgmstaff@nwhof.org, Alan and Gloria Rice Greco - Roman Inductee. In fact, several high-ranking members of the Russian government were on hand to witness the crowning achievement of the greatest wrestler the sport had ever known. He proved that Alexander Karelin isn't perfect . Gardner, the youngest of nine children, grew up on a dairy farm in Afton, Wyo. Rulon has experienced wins as well as losses in his life. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs. Wrestlers have such a diverse skill-set, that they are often approached to compete in other sports. Reading or replaying the story in its Two years later he nearly died when he was . Get the best deals on Rulon Wrestling Shoes when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. 2023 National Wrestling Hall Of Fame. Unable to move any farther, Gardner decided to build a shelter and wait for a rescue team. Great defense kept Gardner in the match and in the second period, when they started in the clinch, Karelin briefly lost his grip to give up his first point in six years and the Olympic gold medal. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. Rulon again captured the attention of America when he appeared as a contestant of the NBC television program The Biggest Loser. He competed at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and won the gold medal in 2000, defeating Russia's three-time reigning gold medalist Aleksandr Karelin in the final. The only person standing between Aleksandr Karelin and a 4th consecutive gold medal was American, Rulon Gardner. In the morning they were able to flag down a passing fisherman who picked them up. And as he's grown older, partly because he did have a learning deficit, because he was the youngest, he always had to show them, that he wasn't the weakest and that he could do more than they thought he could.". Rulon is now a dynamic speaker and coach who shares his stories of triumph and loss to motivate and encourage . Immediately prior to the film's debut at 6:30 p.m. EDT . Dairy farmer is the best base for wrestling. Despite sealing victory and a healthy paycheck as the underdog, Gardner decided to finish his MMA career then and there, as the sport didnt carry the same honour for him as wrestling. But never give up on your dream to be your best. Thought it would been blasphemous to discredit though. [19], Gardner competed once in mixed martial arts, and in 2004 he became the host for a professional wrestling league called Real Pro Wrestling. None of the three sustained life-threatening injuries. I surprised myself probably more than them.. Gardner, the youngest of nine children, grew up on a dairy farm in Afton, Wyo. Rulon Gardner is crammed into the driver's seat of a 2006 Volkswagen Beetle. After several hours in his makeshift shelter, he stopped shivering, which led him to believe that he was dying. He also has some other plans. He tried to work his way out of the valley, but couldn't get out. He graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a bachelor's degree in physical education. In 2005, Gardner published his autobiography (co-written by Bob Schaller), Never Stop Pushing: My Life from a Wyoming Farm to the Olympic Medals Stand, in which he describes his Greco-Roman wrestling career, his academic struggles (as someone who suffers from a learning disability) and an account of his near-death experience when stranded after a snowmobile accident. His family says he's always been a dare-devil and that risky behavior sometimes gets him hurt. No signs of major wear. Rulon Gardner cartwheeled into the hearts of all Americans when he upset the seemingly invincible Russian Alexander Karelin at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. In 2010, Rulon was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. In doing so, he immediately captured the admiration of Americans, winning the gold medal in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history. Karelin was unbeaten for 13 years in international wrestling and had won 3 Olympic titles, as well as 9 World Championships prior to this loss. I often have them pass through this site. . He retired from Greco-Roman wrestling with three Olympic gold medals, 887 wins and two losses, both by a single point. On the playground, he was the biggest, slowest kid. No holes. August 16, 1971 - Present. Though it doesn't get as much attention as the "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Upstate New York, the . Subscribe to @olympics: http://oly.ch/Subscribe Enjoy this exclusive interview with Rulon Gardner and Kurt Angle - Olympic wrestling Champions!Watch the . This inspiring memoir comes from one of the world's most remarkable athletes who achieved arguably the greatest upset in individual sports history when he defeated the Russian Alexander Karelin -- three-time Olympic champ, undefeated and unscored . May 31, 2020. At 37, Byers, an Army staff sergeant, has amassed a stellar career record that includes a world title in 2002. Gardner is a thrill-seeker, and later on that year was involved in a motorcycle accident. Rulon Gardne: "At that point you can lose your hands, lose our feet, cause they really don't matter compared to life.". In 2010, Rulon was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He's owned over 1000 pair of wrestling shoes. The American became an overnight sensation back home after the miracle on the mat, but soon found himself struggling with stardom, and battling to save his career after a life-threatening accident. . Rulon Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is famous for being wrestler. Hang an Olympic medal around the neck of wrestler Rulon Gardner and even the shiny gold can't hide the insecure fat kid inside. Far from hindering his life, his size became his superpower. Still he fought back the pain to win his spot on the 2004 Olympic team. Karelin's wrestling record going into the Sydney final against Gardner read 887 wins and one loss. She reports, the same qualities that get Gardner in to trouble may also make him a formidable opponent on the mat. Rulons are tough to find, but they sold A TON of these shoes and they last for a long time so you can still find them pretty frequently on eBay and other bidding and selling sites. Hopefully, they can see that. Winning the Gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 came through extreme dedication and sacrifice. All those people who told me I could never get here and get on this stage, Im going to show them. 2023 Rare Wrestling Shoes Co. All Rights Reserved. Through inner strength and determination he fought to stay awake and alive. As he weaves around trucks, zipping up I-15 North through Provo, Utah, he may be the biggest human on . As a member of the 2000 US Olympic wrestling team, Rulon was pitted against Russian legend Alexander Karelin, in what can only be described as a David versus Goliath scenario. Rulon also describes his Greco-Roman wrestling career, his Olympic victory, his academic struggles, and an account of his near-death experience after the snowmobile accident. Virginia Gardner, Rulon's Mother: "He's always been out to prove himself, that he can do things. Rulon's victory is known as one of the greatest upsets in wrestling history, which is why his signature is on one of the most desired shoes to this day. He beat the unbeatable. [6], After the Athens Olympics, Gardner gained 210 pounds, culminating in a total body weight of 474 pounds. Rulon Gardner (born August 16, 1971 in Afton, Wyoming) is an amateur wrestler in the Greco-Roman discipline from the United States, most notable for his gold medal in the 2000 Olympics after defeating Russian Alexander Karelin, who was previously undefeated in 13 years of international competition.