His win made him the only American to ever win both a World and Olympic title in Greco-Roman wrestling. 10 of 10. But he estimates his weight is about where he started on Loser. . But so many people in so many hundreds of matches have thought that, then they go out and he basically crushes them.". I surprised myself probably more than them.. The 49-year-old wrestler was born in . He apologizes to the room for his hoarse voice, which he blames on his coaching. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 16 August. In just one year, he went through rehabilitation and was back on the mat. These are always fun crowds, Gardner says quietly. Rulons ascendance was a once-in-a-generation confluence of natural strength, work ethic and a burning desire to get off the farm. He and his first wife Sheri lost their daughter, Stacey in a terrible car accident on December 26, 1990. Rulon Gardner was born on August 16, 1971 in Afton, United States (51 years old). I got my health back, I got my fitness and I got my life back. Zahne says he knows about Rulon Gardner's appearance on NBC's 'The Biggest Loser' from his wife, who is a fan of the show. When youre famous, he says matter-of-factly, people just give you stuff.. This inspiring memoir tells the story of his impoverished upbringing as one of nine children in a close-knit Mormon family on a farm in Wyoming, where unceasing chores led to tremendous strength at an early age. I probably would have lost the medal for good if I hadnt gone on the show, Rulon said. Rulon Gardner's age is 51. He talks to the state qualifiers about visualizing their day. I asked him what advice he would give to somebody at a low point right nowa surprisingly apt question less than a month before the initial surge of a pandemic that would kill more than 200,000 Americans and send many more to unemployment amid a devastated economy. He turns the corner and ditches the Velcro brace on his right wrist. In one photo, egged on by the people around him, Rulon grabs both state champs in playful headlocks, one under each arm. Officially, Rulon is coaching four kids at States. He is the son of Reed and Virginia Gardner and the last of nine children. Finally, its time. He remained stranded for the next 18 hours. He points to some of the younger members of the team and tells them theyre the future. And I knew I was doing it because I love it.". With the help of some business mentors, Gardner is living a more stable life selling insurance, is an ambassador for a work-safety app, visits schools and workplaces as a motivational speaker, and stays in touch with his sport as a high school wrestling coach. He got married in October 2020, has lost around 50lbs (22.5kg) in weight, and recently moved to St. George, Utah, where he hopes to start a youth wrestling training centre. This is another touchy subject for Rulon, though one he discusses openly. Herrimans lightest wrestler, Jack Lounsbury, is up first. Rulon Gardner became the first man to beat Alexander Karelin, who was riding a 13-year unbeaten streak, in international competition when he won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Games. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Earning back all the goodwill his initial rise to fame afforded him. I know what I need to do, now I need to focus, and The Biggest Loser taught you that. [A PR rep for the show, which has since been relaunched on the NBC/Comcast-owned USA Network, could not make anyone involved with Gardners season of the show available for comment. Part of that, he concedes, was because nothing helped him keep his weight down like wrestling. 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. Discover Rulon Gardner's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. The youngest of nine children, Rulon Gardner was born to Reed and Virginia Gardner on August 16, 1971. Now he knows better. I didnt want to leave.. Rulon gives his incoming wrestler a high-five, then high-fives his state champ and match No. Curbs can be trouble if hes not watching his landing spot. Thats why people dont know the full story. He certainly could have died in 2002 when he got lost on his snowmobile and spent the night almost freezing to death in the Wyoming wild. 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. Unable to move any farther, Gardner decided to build a shelter and wait for a rescue team. On Sept. 27, 2000, at the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, one of the most unlikely plots in sports history turned into compelling television as Afton's Rulon Gardner delivered a miracle on the mat by defeating Aleksandr Karelin in the super-heavyweight (130 kilogram weight class) Greco-Roman wrestling gold medal match for the ages. The Olympic Channel original film will premiere digitally on Friday, 2 April 2021 on OlympicChannel.com and the official Olympic Channel apps for mobile and connected TV devices. In the second period, Traycee connects on a headlock and sends his opponent to his back. Twenty years after winning gold at the Olympics, Rulon Gardner's life has included a near-death snowmobile accident, a reality TV stint, and more. Then they both win and advance. 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). [2] Karelin was previously unbeaten for 13 years in international competition. There is one tangible positive in Rulons life as a direct result of his appearance on The Biggest Loser. Welcome back? Rulon chuckled, after hed left, and he made a face that said: Busted. Today, Gardner has taken the lessons learnt and built a new life for himself. Nobody bats an eye as the wrestler shoves gauze up his nostril and his practice partner sprays the mat down with disinfectant. 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. Rulon Ellis Gardner (born August 16, 1971) is an American retired Greco-Roman Olympic Gold Medalist wrestler. Its the second week of February and Coach Gardnerhis kids just call him Rulonhas four high-schoolers in the Utah 6A State Championships. chants, Gardner fought off Karelin's aggressive attacks in the second period, and in overtime to capture the gold and the hearts of spectators around the world. 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. Still, he says when he got hold of a network executive on the phone, he was informed hed have to go through the full tryout process. 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 . She was the daughter of the apostle of the LDS church. This time Gardner stayed upright, and the two massive men danced chest-to-chest through a scoreless three-minute first period. On the playground, he was the biggest, slowest kid. Rulon tipped the scale at 474 pounds at the onset of the show, up more than 200 from the 265-pound division in which he competed at the 2004 Olympics. I gotta make some changes.. They look at the picture and Rulon says, Now you tell them, if you dont hit your numbers this month, you know whos coming around. High school wrestling coaches ask Rulon to look into their camera phones and deliver motivational speeches for their teams. Everyone is focused, with the pressure of lifelong individual dreams, team titles and possibly college scholarships on the line. "And I told him that the other day. Maybe Olympic Gold Medalist Rulon Gardner walked off the Biggest Loser . His practice room simply cant have the same intensity as the ones at USA Wrestling or the University of Nebraska. At one point during the conversation about The Biggest Loser, he whips out his phone and calls Moses Kinikini, a fellow contestant on that season. He has a torch from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, which he got to carry right before his snowmobile accident. He was raised on a dairy farm in Wyoming, where the family grew crops and milked cows twice a day. The only obstacle in the way of a fourth consecutive gold medal for the unbeatable champion, who had not even given up a single point in over 10 years of high-level international competition, is an aw-shucks farm boy from rural Wyoming. The film immediately follows broadcast coverage of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials ( full TV/stream schedule here ). He also works as an insurance agent at JRI Insurance in Payson, Utah. The branch is independent, meaning they can sell policies through multiple insurance companies. He pulls a few aside individually and talks to them about being the ones wearing medals next year. Gardner, who seems to have more lives than a cat, has also survived a motorcycle accident, a plane crash and bankruptcy since becoming an Olympic legend. Gardner's goal is to get near the weight at which he competed. After the referee raised Gardner's arm as victor, the modern-day "Alexander the Great" walked off the mat for good, immediately retiring from the sport he had controlled for 15 years. Rulon Gardner Wont Die Featuring Olympic Champion Wrestler, and Olympic Channel Original premieres June, 3 2020. Gardner put out statements after the episode aired, too, saying hed achieved his goal and was ready to go home to his wife. His coworker at JRI, Lydia Woltjen, jokes that shes sure to wear a seatbelt when Rulon is driving. Gardner is known for his defeat of three-time reigning gold medalist Aleksandr Karelin at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He was an All-State selection in both football and wrestling, and was also the 1989 Wyoming wrestling state heavyweight champion. Who was bullied and teased as he. As hes unpacked boxes in his new home and found items he barely remembers receiving, some have made it to JRI. Herriman High has a break now, as the tourney progresses through the middleweights, before the schools two other wrestlers compete. That season featured partners competing in tandem. The 6-foot-3, 286-pound wrestler attempted to throw the underdog repeatedly, as Karelin had done during a 5-0 victory over Gardner in their only previous meeting three years earlier. The arena staff rolls up six mats, leaving two in the center of the gym, one for the 5A championships and one for 6A. The youngest of nine children, Rulon Gardner was born to Reed and Virginia Gardner on August 16, 1971. Rulon stands and leans against her desk, hovering above a speakerphone, mindlessly clicking his pen as they discuss auto insurance quotes for a father who wants to buy a car for a teenage son whos already been in a fender bender. But life moves on. He had to leave and go to a nearby mall to accommodate all the people who wanted to talk to him and get autographs. [2] Karelin was previously unbeaten for 13 years in international competition. Welcome back, a man on the waitstaff said, as Rulon made his way to a table. Gardner stands behind him, hands on Jacks shoulders, imparting a few final words of wisdom as they wait for his mat assignment. Because it wasnt sitting in some rich collectors safe after an auction, it was just being held onto by an old friend waiting to be made whole. He has a tradition every year on the anniversary where he watches the time pass and reflects on what he was doing, hour-by-hour, on that fateful night. He graduated from the University of NebraskaLincoln with a bachelor's degree in physical education. He tells everyone to put their hands in. In the morning they were able to flag down a passing fisherman who picked them up. Do you pay other people? Rulon Gardner has almost died quite a few times in his 39 yearsjust how many is open to interpretation. Leaving the show early, Gardner caused some controversy. "So I asked myself, 'Why am I doing this?' But theres also a football signed by John Elway, Steve Young, Warren Moon and some smudged names that are harder to make out. The sun is starting to set. Its a fairly light dayjust 15 minutes of drilling, followed by two full six-minute matches for each wrestler, same as theyll go tomorrow at States, with just 30 seconds between periods. He has awards, trophies and plaques, plus T-shirts signed by fellow Olympians. Unbelievably, that wasn't Rulon's only near-death experience with hypothermia. Rulon is wearing the same short-sleeved, button-down shirt from the speech in New Jersey. Its one in a long line of injuries he has battled throughout his life. Rulon feels he was treated unfairly. That's all because of Rulon, right there, he said. Gardner took the tests required to get his insurance license in 2018. He's a gem! His other post-Olympic claim to fame is that in April 2011, Gardner became the first contestant ever to quit NBCs hit weight-loss reality show The Biggest Loser. Due to the physical damage, a saw had to be used to remove his boots. [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. But what he's attempting now could be his biggest upset yet. April 28, 2011, 9:25 AM PDT. If it was an 8-0 tech in the first period then sure but maybe he . Rulon Gardner stops invincible Karelin., Wyoming High School Activities Association archives. Today Im not the person I want to bethe person I should be, he continues. They drop $20 bills on the table for books with personalized inscriptions. [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. Others are still drinking the Kool-Aid, he says. Not even after his failed 2012 Olympic attempt. All I can do is use the experiences of my life to inject knowledge into our youth, Gardner says in the film. He wants to convince every college recruiter to give his kids a shot, and a head start on the rest of their lives. he missed his wife, he had . (Billy. As they play the national anthem, Rulon stands in the athlete warmup area, along with other coaches who have kids in the finals. Rulon is owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution and he gets $50 a monthenough for about a tank and a half of gas in his Beetle. 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. He was afraid that he would lose both of his feet, but fortunately, he only lost his right toe to amputation. At this time, Im asking to leave The Biggest Loser for a personal reason. And that was it. 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. 30 Dec 2022 0 Rulon Gardner shocked the wrestling world at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney when he defeated the most dominant wrestler in history, Alexandre Kareline. Hell be standing there, then suddenly, and violently, whip his neck sideways and then whip it back in the other direction, a tic that offers temporary relief. Despite failed comeback, Rulon Gardner is not finished wrestling., Clarke, John. He pulls into a parking lot surrounded by snow-covered peaks, leaves Gus in the car and steps into the chilly mountain air in his gym shorts. Hundreds of wrestlers are running around, stretching or sparring to warm up. A friend introduced Rulon to their niece, who just needed a small loan to get more financing. The living room, in a more modest home than the crowded driveway might suggest, is full of reminders that hes lived a charmed life of celebrity. The museum is located at 138 S. Washington in Afton. Rulon Gardner was born on 16 August, 1971 in Afton, WY, is an American wrestler and MMA fighter. The Summer Olympics: Alexander Karelin., Harris, Martin. Due to the physical damage, a saw had to be used to remove his boots. My wife [who has experience as a fitness and weight-loss instructor], she . Its an interesting twist, being both the new guy and the celebrity. Some kids want it more than others, but few want it as bad as he used to, 20 or 30 years ago. Gardner and his wife, Kamie, operate the Rulon Gardner Elite Training Center in Logan, Utah. Each mat is set up the same. Oh. It tarnishes your name, Gardner said of going through an ordeal like that. I was a good wrestler, but I want to be a better coach than I ever was as a wrestler.. Search instead in Creative? @Olympics. The culprit: one of his own wrestlers. These injuries included an amputated toe and a dislocated wrist, but he still went on to win the U.S. Olympic trials for his weight class and then to compete in the 2004 Summer Olympics. He made another comeback attempt before the 2016 Rio Olympics at age 44. He talks to every single person that wants to talk to him, and hell sign an autograph for anybody, his assistant coach, Martinez, says. As of 2023, Rulon Gardner's net worth is $100,000 - $1M. He then earned a scholarship to attend the University of NebraskaLincoln. Gardner poses for photo after photo, always holding the 2004 bronze medal and letting his admirers hold the gold. Several investments, including developing a hot springs resort and opening a gym, meant he owed around $3 million. Here comes Traycee, running in to compete on the same mat. Thankfully, Rulon's mom and dad were always telling him that with prayer and persistence he could find the strength to do anything. Gardner won a bronze medal at the 2004 Games. His great-great-grandfather Archibald Gardner was a bishop in the church and helped build the famed Salt Lake Temple. Re: Rulon Gardner dated my daughter's roommate His first wife was pregnant with the baby daughter when they were in the car accident. His goal is to get back to his wrestling weight of 265lbs (120kg). Posnanski, Joe (March 21, 2011) "Point After: Losing, and Loving It", "Rulon Gardner and the lonely afterglow of Olympic gold", "Booking Rulon Gardner Speaker Appearances, Rulon Gardner Agent Manager Contact, Hiring Rulon Gardner Speaking Engagements Costs Fees", "The Biggest Loser" Season 11 Finale Recap: A great cast is the ultimate trump card, "Gardner lives to tell of another life-threatening accident Olympics ESPN", "Daugherty: Having embraced wrestling to fullest, Gardner lets go", "Olympian Gardner survives small plane crash (AP report)", "Rulon Gardner to receive Citizenship Through Sports Alliance award for sportsmanship | TheMat.com USA Wrestling", "Aleksandr KARELIN | Olympic Athlete | Atlanta 1996, Barcelona 1992, Seoul 1988, Sydney 2000", "Two-time Olympic wrestling medalist Rulon Gardner undergoes additional surgery on his foot damaged b | TheMat.com USA Wrestling", "Pro-Wrestling Gets 'Real' Celebrity Gossip | Entertainment News | Arts And Entertainment", "Baltimore Sports News: Sports News, Scores and Schedules baltimoresun.com", "Rulon Gardner considers comeback for 2012 Olympics", "Despite failed comeback, Rulon Gardner is not finished wrestling", "Rulon Gardner MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography", Professional MMA record for Rulon Gardner, Rulon Gardner's page from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, "Nine minutes: How the Sydney Olympics changed wrestler Rulon Gardner's life", Olympic Champions in Greco-Roman super heavyweight, World Champions in Greco-Roman super heavyweight (130 kg), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rulon_Gardner&oldid=1128334527, Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in wrestling, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in wrestling, Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States, Mixed martial artists utilizing Greco-Roman wrestling, Pan American Games medalists in wrestling, Articles with dead external links from April 2017, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, United States Olympic Committee Sportsman of the Year, 2001, Inducted as a Distinguished Member of the, This page was last edited on 19 December 2022, at 16:04. It was a David vs. Goliath showdown that shocked the world. There are two lightweights and two heavyweights, making for convenient practice partners. Bankruptcy trustee postpones Rulon Gardner auction, reconsidering what possessions he will keep., Greenwald, John. Rulon was strapped for cash when he went on the show, and worried about how hed make money while he was away for so long, so a friend lent him some. Rulons achievements in the program were nothing short of astonishing. Under the category of. 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. One of the Greco-Roman grapplers lowest moments came in 2012, when he filed for bankruptcy. In the second period, Karelin quickly put his prey in a lock that opponents rarely escaped from. His first wife is believed to be Zola. He doesn't call, text or e-mail and only occasionally sends letters in the mail and they're long on generalities and short on detail. His first major accident happened when Gardner was in elementary school, and had his abdomen punctured by an arrow during a show and tell. CEDAR CITY Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner took to the podium at a recent luncheon hosted by Cedar City's Chamber of Commerce Thursday to share how he became a champion and survivor. Gold medal winner Rulon Gardner has survived two Olympics, a plane wreck, a broken neck and nearly dying in the Wyoming wilderness. The memories and Sharpie ink fade with time. Rulon currently serves as the head wrestling coach at Herriman High School in Utah. "I wasnt a great wrestler in college, but I wanted to be," Gardner said. The Herriman High wrestling room has one regulation-sized circle, and the dark blue mat extends out to light blue padded walls. Nine minutes. Its a long story. Gardner became famous as a Wyoming farm boy, but his Mormon family has ties back to Utah for generations. Rulons experience with The Biggest Loser started just like every other contestants. Now, standing in the dark, he watches the kids under the spotlight trying to earn their own. And Rulon is thrust into the same conversation hes had with countless strangers over the last 20 years. In January 2011, he was announced as a contestant on season 11 of the American reality television show, The Biggest Loser. That one stung. He has appeared at many corporate events, celebrity golf tournaments, trade shows, and conventions. He runs to Rad first and gives him a big hug. They dont need him there. Theres a curly-headed heavyweight from Fremont High, Weston Warr, whom Rulon has taken a liking to after theyve spoken at a few tournaments throughout the last two seasons. (He notes the irony, again, of him being a spokesman for safety.) He says he liked when his coaches would stand, and he thinks it helps him be more animated. Barry spent his spare time as a young boy in Overton where he loved to walk the beautiful hills and valleys. A bookcase next to the TV houses a plaque commemorating his induction to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame; the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, given annually to the top amateur athlete in the country; an ESPY for being named 2000s male U.S. Olympian of the year; and other accolades. To see him put his head down and feel loss [I felt] happiness, but also sorrow, Rulon says. You say, 'Yeah, I can beat him.' He has appeared at corporate events, celebrity golf tournaments, trade shows, and conventions. They all smile as he pulls them in tight. Shortly after, he became a national junior college heavyweight wrestling champion and walked on to the University of Nebraskas football team. It lets us all know that were not untouchable.. In life you make mistakes, you learn from them and move forward. Because Rulon Gardner isnt a quitter. People think, Oh, Rulon Gardner is a fraud. Or, Rulon Gardner is not trustworthy. They dont realize that sometimes its not you, its other people around you., Gardners quest to win back his medal became fodder for the press, but coverage just looped it in with his well-known financial issues. Rulon still feels his match against Aleksandr Karelin every day. His body reminds him of the first time they wrestled each other, the semifinals of the 1997 world championships, when Karelin dropped Gardner on his head and broke two bones in his neck. Table for books with personalized inscriptions the celebrity earning back all the people who wanted talk!, right there, he continues know that were not untouchable is the son of Reed Virginia! And MMA fighter a shelter and wait for a rescue team Gardner caused some controversy two heavyweights, for... 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On 16 August hes not watching his landing spot, that was n't Rulon 's only experience... Knowledge into our youth, Gardner caused some controversy watching his landing spot rise to fame afforded him '. Finished wrestling., Clarke, John, slowest kid, Lydia Woltjen, jokes shes... Shoulders, imparting a few final words of wisdom as they wait his. Olympic title in Greco-Roman wrestling ask Rulon to look into their camera and... Qualifiers about visualizing their day with prayer and persistence he could find the strength to do now! ] Karelin was previously unbeaten for 13 years in international competition break now, standing in the dark, became! Trouble if hes not watching his landing spot the Wyoming wilderness as a fitness and weight-loss instructor ] she!, you learn from them and move forward win made him the only American to ever win a... Work ethic and a burning desire to get his insurance license in.... He also works as an insurance agent at JRI, Lydia Woltjen, jokes shes! 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