Rulon Gardner, U.S.Wrestling Legend, Attempts an Olympic Comeback at 51 years Old

Conservative News DailyJanuary 1, 2023

Rulon Gardiner shocked the wrestling world in Sydney 2000 when he beat Alexandre Kareline. But what he’s attempting now could be his biggest upset yet.

Gardner, now 51 years old, would like to compete again in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

“I still wanna give more back to the sport, the sport that I love and that’s wrestling,” Gardner told TMZ Sports. “When you have a goal like wrestling it makes you get into shape so I’ve lost a substantial amount of weight, getting healthy again, getting back after it, and now it’s getting on the mat.”Every day it hurts like heck but it’s so fun to be able to get out there and throw with these young kids. It’s crazy ’cause I’m wrestling kids half my age.”

Sydney Olympics: Greco roman wrestling in Sydney, Australia on September 27, 2000 – 97 to 130 kg, final: Rulon Gardner (USA), gold medal Alexandre Kareline (urs). (Pool JO SANDY 2000/Gamma Rapho via Getty Images

To put some perspective on how shocking and incredible Gardner’s victory over Karelin was, get a load of this. Alexandre “The Russian Bear” Kareline had won three gold medals in a row, had not been defeated in 12 years, and hadn’t yielded a point to an opponent in six years.

That’s generally regarded as good.

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Gardner is confident that he is still very talented. It’s good enough to compete at an Olympic competition. Gardner needs to change his entire body. The legendary American wrestler tells TMZ he’s already lost 150 pounds and plans to lose more.

“Our goal is to go out there and show we can still compete with the top-level wrestlers of the world,” Gardner spoke to TMZ Sports. “I know I can compete with the guys in the U.S., the question is do I have what it takes in my 50s to get back to the Olympic games?”Gardner is determined to answer that question, even though it could be a difficult one. And no one can question Gardner’s determination.