[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. In that first match, Karelin slammed Gardner on his face three times and even flipped him feet-first over his head in a violent maneuver that had Gardner's wife, Stacy, fearing for her husband's life. 2 immediately begins. Because Rulon Gardner isnt a quitter. Contact us at editor@wyohistory.org for information on levels and types of available sponsorships. The sun began to lower and the temperature, which had been twenty-five degrees, began to drop. Due to the physical damage, a saw had to be used to remove his boots. He wont have as many days where he works from 8 a.m. until after-school practice and then gets home at 9 p.m. without having worked out himself. He tried to work his way out of the valley, but couldn't get out. He concedes that the motorcycle crash in '04 could have done him in, and the . But policy is policy. He graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He lets the manager of one local insurance outlet put him in a headlock for their photo. The Wyoming native upset Russia's Aleksandr Karelin, who was the reigning three-time Olympic champion and had . They clear the floor and the jumbotron hanging from the ceiling lists which bouts will begin on which mats. He certainly has no problem using his name to draw people in. [18], After the 2000 Olympics he suffered a series of injuries from both a snowmobiling and motorcycle accident. Rulon Ellis Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is an American retired Greco-Roman Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler. Rulon Gardner was born in Afton, WY on August 16, 1971. When the new section opens to spectators, theres a mad scramble to race down the stairs and claim the best seats. Discover Rulon Gardner's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Thats why I work so hard right now, to try to regain my name. I feel that my personal goals have been reached here on The Biggest Loser, and its my time to go home. Gardner became an Olympic legend for his performance during the 2000 Games in Sydney. Welcome back? Rulon chuckled, after hed left, and he made a face that said: Busted. Hopefully, they can see that. Gardner was the first contestant ever to . On the playground, he was the biggest, slowest kid. Updated: 6:17 ET, Jul 19 2021 FORMER OLYMPIC star Rulon Gardner opened up over hitting rock-bottom that included spiralling debts of 3million. Rulon says one of the images that stands out from that day was in the final second of the match, when both wrestlers knew it was over. These proved to be particularly important as Rulon embraced numerous challenges in his life. And I knew I was doing it because I love it.". The one person that can change it is me.. . He gives the impression that hed recall the date even if Valentines Day werent an easy one to remember. 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. Its one in a long line of injuries he has battled throughout his life. Rulon gave him the medal as collateral, and they made a deal that hed hold onto Rulons prized possession until he could pay the debt. A friend introduced Rulon to their niece, who just needed a small loan to get more financing. He also declined the opportunity to wrestle in the professional WWE ranks. 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. Then they both win and advance. Rulon Gardners income source is mostly from being a successful Wrestler. I was walking out there saying, Well, Im at least guaranteed a silver medal.". It takes the lower half of his body a little longer to warm up in the morning, and he happened to roll his ankle two or three times yesterday. There was an incident in New Zealand, when contestants had just returned to the show after a holiday break, and he needed a chiropractor. [2] Karelin was previously unbeaten for 13 years in international competition. Even as he gets his feet under himself and recovers financially, he feels betrayed. Of course, he says. He bought a house nearby, so his only long commute is up I-15 to the high school. Not on the TV show. Thankfully, Rulon's mom and dad were always telling him that with prayer and persistence he could find the strength to do anything. Gardner decided to pursue his Olympic dreams instead, but a staph infection prevented him from going to the 1996 Games in Atlanta, where Karelin barely broke a sweat in winning his third gold medal. That would be impossible. Rulon Ellis Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is an American retired Greco-Roman Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler. The arena explodes as the referee slaps the mat to signal a pin, and Rulon claps excitedly. Im happy.. In 2011, he accepted an offer to appear on American reality TV show The Biggest Loser, in an attempt to shed some of his 474lbs (215kg). He remained stranded for the next 18 hours. Thats the stark reality. Hundreds of wrestlers are running around, stretching or sparring to warm up. From the Wyoming farm where he grew up the youngest of nine siblings, through his struggles as a student with dyslexia, all the way to the Olympic medal stand, to his night on the mountain and back to the Olympic podium. Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner stepped back into the spotlight earlier this year when he became a contestant on NBC's "The Biggest Loser." On Tuesday night's episode, he became the first participant in the show's 11-season history to walk off. He turns the corner and ditches the Velcro brace on his right wrist. Youre the coolest, Moses tells him, as they both delight in the excuse to catch up and reminisce about their time on the show. He said, Ill call you tomorrow, Rulon says. Before the 2004 Olympic Trials he was in a motorcycle accident and then dislocated his right wrist punching the bleachers after losing his cool during a pickup basketball game. Im not happy about it. Many of the news headlines written about him since 2012 focused on his bankruptcy filing, the result of a fraud case, and a quest to recoup his gold medal, which he couldnt afford to bring back into his possession. Gardner is known for his defeat of Aleksandr Karelin at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He found success, and a new community that believed in him, in the athletics arena. Rulon stretches constantly, and likes to lean against railings to relieve the pressure. Gardner, trained by Bas Rutten, won the bout via unanimous decision. One, two, three, state titles!. Rulon Gardner finally explains leaving The Biggest Loser Ruby Turpin July 4, 2011 Gossip, Rulon Gardner, The Biggest Loser Rulon Gardner hasn't exactly been silent about his early. But so many people in so many hundreds of matches have thought that, then they go out and he basically crushes them.". He has appeared at many corporate events, celebrity golf tournaments, trade shows, and conventions. After several hours in his makeshift shelter, he stopped shivering, which led him to believe that he was dying. Not the Olympic Greco-Roman super heavyweight final in 2000 when, with a 10 decision, he handed the Russian Bear his first loss in 13 years, and scored the first point against him in six. He loves working with kids to help them achieve their greatest success. Rulon Gardner of Star Valley, Wyo.,defeats Russia Aleksandr Karelin to win the gold medal in Greco-Roman Wrestling at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Gardner achieved world notoriety in 2000 when he stunned Russian Greco-Roman legend Alexander Karelin to win the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. Back down from the podium, Herrimans state champions pose in every combination for their own photos, iPhone camera rolls filling up with teammates, parents, siblings and coaches in various groupings. But Gardner certainly isnt most athletes, and approached his Olympic final believing that second-place would be a satisfactory achievement. After the 2000 Olympics he suffered a series of injuries from both a snowmobiling and motorcycle accident. Rulon Ellis Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is an American retired Greco-Roman Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler. For more information about our sponsors and the people behind WyoHistory.org, visit our About Us page: Carbon County School District No. Some of the unwelcome nicknames given to him included Dumbo, and later Fatso due to his size. Even though it was one of the things that almost killed me, it was truly amazing. Thats his daily motivation. After several hours in his makeshift shelter, he stopped shivering and started having visions, which led him to believe that he was probably dying. Rulons ascendance was a once-in-a-generation confluence of natural strength, work ethic and a burning desire to get off the farm. I got my health back, I got my fitness and I got my life back. Traycee was a heavyweight last season, before cutting down to 220 this year. Read more of SI's Daily Cover stories here. His second great grandfather was Archibald Gardner,[3] who was one of the early settlers of Star Valley, Wyoming. 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. Rulons achievements in the program were nothing short of astonishing. A Project of the Wyoming Historical Society. Search instead in Creative? He believes NBC wanted to make him look like the Olympic brat. He says trainers would do things like give him too short a jump rope or put a massive weight plate on his back while he was planking. He jokes that it took him too long to figure one con that was pulled on him repeatedly: Organizations would make up some award to give him, largely as an excuse to get him to show up for free for an event to which they could sell tickets. However, she divorced him when he became involved with his first pluralist wife. Rod Zundel talks to Rulon about. Gardner attended Star Valley High School in Afton, Wyoming, and was a three-sport letter winner and standout in football, wrestling, and track and field. Rulon currently serves as the head wrestling coach at Herriman High School in Utah. Rulon Gardner stops invincible Karelin., Wyoming High School Activities Association archives. Gardner competed once in mixed martial arts and in 2005 he became the host for a professional wrestling league called Real Pro Wrestling. FORMER OLYMPIC star Rulon Gardner opened up over hitting rock-bottom that included spiralling debts of 3million. Previously, he spent three years as a medical-device sales rep, working a territory stretching from Montana to Nebraska. Turns out, it was the first miracle of many. Accessed Jan. 5, 2013 at, The photo of Gardner on his victory lap after winning a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, is from, Casper Chapter, Wyoming Archaeological Society, June Frison chapter, Wyoming Archeological Society. In 2002, Gardner went snowmobiling with some friends in the mountains surrounding Star Valley, Wyoming. Speaking to TMZ, he said: "I still wanna give more back to the sport, the sport that I love, and that's wrestling. Wrestling comeback in Rulon's plans. Rulon Gardner caused one of the greatest upsets in Olympic wrestling history when he won gold at Olympic Games Sydney 2000. When he was eventually rescued, he was experiencing hypothermia and severe frostbite. 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. He jumped anyway. . Gardner became famous as a Wyoming farm boy, but his Mormon family has ties back to Utah for generations. (He notes the irony, again, of him being a spokesman for safety.) In 2002, Gardner went snowmobiling with some friends in the mountains surrounding Star Valley, Wyoming. In 2010, Rulon was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. That was just a small dumbbell shy of 500. She also says Rulon has since confided in her that he didnt want to leave, but she says she would have no way of knowing if that was true. Its nice to be able to do this, Gardner says. Rulon doesnt like wearing his badge on a lanyard that chokes his neck, so he tries to avoid it. He nearly died of hypothermia after suffering in the elements for 17 hours. Im not gonna just sit down and take whatever happens.. A few months later, Rulon shared that hes been doing well. The men swam an hour in 44F (7C) water to reach shore, and then spent the night without shelter. Winning the Gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 came through extreme dedication and sacrifice. American Olympian who competed in the 2000 Olympic games in Greco-Roman wrestling, winning a gold medal in the 130 kg weight class. The memories and Sharpie ink fade with time. [1], Gardner was born in Afton, Wyoming. The branch is independent, meaning they can sell policies through multiple insurance companies. Rulon's weight has fluctuated again since then, but has most recently lost 30lbs (13kg), thanks to his new personal trainer and cutting refined sugars and processed food out from his diet. The arena at Utah Valley University is set up with eight wrestling mats in two rows of four. At 51 years old, Rulon Gardner height In episode 17, he arrived at the group weigh-in wearing his cut-off yellow T-shirt, jogged up a flight of stairs, turned to face his fellow contestants, clasped his hands behind his back and announced: This is gonna be my last time on the scale. After the speeches, assistant coach Rad Martinez gathers everyone in the center of the mat. John Daley Reporting Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner heads to Boston today for a speaking engagement with a new story of survival to tell. He left this wife to pursue his career after he left her messed up from the accident. weight class at the 1993 NCAA Championships, earning All-American honors. In November 2018, he and wife Kathleen Kennedy received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, an . Rulon is wearing the same short-sleeved, button-down shirt from the speech in New Jersey. When he was eventually rescued, he was experiencing hypothermia and severe frostbite. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Gardner was back on the big stage and brought back a bronze medal. All I can do is use the experiences of my life to inject knowledge into our youth, Gardner says in the film. In track and field, as a senior, he took second at the state finals in the shot put.[14]. After the speech he heads back to the hallway and opens one of his suitcases, which is stuffed with copies of his book and posters from the old Got Milk? ad campaign that show him holding two full pails in front of a dairy cow. Gardner: I'm 43 years old now, and if I'm going to live to, hopefully, be 80 years old, I've got to get healthy. It helps me get back on my feet and take on the world again.. 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