Rulon Gardner, 51, wants to wrestle in 2024 Olympics

[Conewago]

Rulon Gardner, 51, On Comeback Trail, Wants To Wrestle In 2024 Olympic Games

Afton's Rulon Gardner was 29 when he won gold at the Sydney, Australia, Olympic Games in 2000. More than two decades later, he wants to do it again. Gardner told Cowboy State Daily it's the most "Wyoming" thing he can think of to do.

cowboystatedaily.com

 

[82bordeaux]

So do I.

 

[CropDuster507]

I wonder if any of this has to do with him not getting an interview when they were looking for USA GR leadership?

 

[GogglesPaizano]

This has the makings of a very bad idea.

 

[86PSUPaul]

This has the makings of a very bad idea.

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For Rulon or @82bordeaux ?

 

[Aardvark86]

“I call upon the youth of the world, and Rulon…”

 

[GogglesPaizano]

And to think, IRONBIRD said Gable's too old for a comeback.

 

[tikk10]

I took this eight years ago at Beat the Streets. I hope he's managed to lose a few pounds since then.

 

[GogglesPaizano]

In all due respect he is an Olympic champion and beat a living legend.

That said it was 30 years ago, and 400 lbs, 5 decades of life, and extreme cardio (Greco jokes aside) don't mix. He has no business doing this. Our very best are over the hill in their 30's.

I don't want to see or hear of a cardiac death. (Did he get a vaccine? Just kidding).

All of this aside; I just received some spy videos of his rather unorthodox training regiment:





He seems to be in 1990s shape?

 

[Foreverinbluejeans57]

Rulon seems to have slimmed down some and is training. If nothing else it’s worth while because of that. Seems like a nice guy

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

For Rulon or @82bordeaux ?

Yes

 

[98lberEating2Lunches]

I took this eight years ago

Did you happen to be using a wide angle lens? I heard that can add a few pounds.

 

[mijowe]

He has fewer toes now than when he won gold.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

He has fewer toes now than when he won gold.

He made up for it elsewhere.

 

[BrockBronson]

Greco is the USA is so bad he might have a chance to win a match or two. But could you imagine a guy at his age, with that body wrestling Gable or Gwiz.

 

[BoHunter0210]

I love a good underdog story. Him beating AK back in the day was a true feat. I also love a good comeback story. I know Rulon has had his health/weight issues. At that age I’m not sure what to expect. Would be cool if he could keep the matches competitive.

 

[diggerpup]

Adam Coon might bounce Gardner on his head in the quarters.

130 kg
1. Cohlton Schultz, Sunkist Kids WC
2. Tanner Farmer, Illinois RTC
3. Adam Coon, Cliff Keen WC
4. Courtney Freeman, Marines
5. Donny Longendyke, Minnesota Storm
6. Rulon Gardner, Rulon Gardner Gold Medal Gym
7. Luke Luffman, Illinois RTC
8. Kaleb Reeves, Eastern Iowa WC
9. Tom Foote, New York AC

 

[Roar More]

Sex change?

 

[WIP2001]

I hope this attempt pushes him to get physically healthy.

Mentally… he needs therapy. The documentary about him was really heartbreaking. The guy basically climbed Everest and then couldn’t / can’t find a new purpose in life.

 

[smalls103]

I took this eight years ago at Beat the Streets. I hope he's managed to lose a few pounds since then.

Tikk, i sh*t you not,

my seat was about 5 to the right of that.

you see that brown plastic chair? it wouldn't hold him. they had to go find him a metal one.

 

[okinburg1]

Adam Coon might bounce Gardner on his head in the quarters.

130 kg
1. Cohlton Schultz, Sunkist Kids WC
2. Tanner Farmer, Illinois RTC
3. Adam Coon, Cliff Keen WC
4. Courtney Freeman, Marines
5. Donny Longendyke, Minnesota Storm
6. Rulon Gardner, Rulon Gardner Gold Medal Gym
7. Luke Luffman, Illinois RTC
8. Kaleb Reeves, Eastern Iowa WC
9. Tom Foote, New York AC

I really feel badly for the 3 guys seeded below Rulon. Honestly, I hope he doesn't get hurt and somehow this helps him be better (in whatever context that means for him).

 

[tullfan68]

well if he could win more power to him!!

 

[GogglesPaizano]

well if he could win more power to him!!

I am 99% sure this is a publicity stunt and nothing more.

1% sure he follows through with this lunacy, and will end embarrassingly and/or badly for all concerned.

 

[98lberEating2Lunches]

I am 99% sure this is a publicity stunt and nothing more.

1% sure he follows through with this lunacy, and will end embarrassingly and/or badly for all concerned.

Good call to prevent more egg-face.

 

[El-Jefe]

you see that brown plastic chair? it wouldn't hold him. they had to go find him a metal one.

How could it? It's only 1 cheek wide.

 

[Chris Watts]

I gotta say...not a fan of some of the negative comments related to this. It takes an incredibly high level of self-belief and determination to do the things in life that Rulon has. Many people thrive off of challenging themselves with something that is almost crazy. My dad is definitely one of those people. Dad wrestled until he was 50 (though certainly not at the national level). And since then, he's summitted many mountains, hiked many long trails, kayaked the susquehanna from source to mouth, etc. He's always looking for the next challenge. And the process of searching for, preparing for, and attempting a challenging endeavor is very good for his mind and body. So, perhaps that is why many of these comments are irritating me a bit.

I wish Rulon all the best. I hope this is a kickstart to getting himself healthier. I hope he makes weight and wrestles. I hope he never stops challenging himself.

 

[diggerpup]

I gotta say...not a fan of some of the negative comments related to this. It takes an incredibly high level of self-belief and determination to do the things in life that Rulon has. Many people thrive off of challenging themselves with something that is almost crazy. My dad is definitely one of those people. Dad wrestled until he was 50 (though certainly not at the national level). And since then, he's summitted many mountains, hiked many long trails, kayaked the susquehanna from source to mouth, etc. He's always looking for the next challenge. And the process of searching for, preparing for, and attempting a challenging endeavor is very good for his mind and body. So, perhaps that is why many of these comments are irritating me a bit.

I wish Rulon all the best. I hope this is a kickstart to getting himself healthier. I hope he makes weight and wrestles. I hope he never stops challenging himself.

Great point.

Maybe Rulon should plan some challenging hikes or learn to kayak instead of entering into the US Open 25 yrs past his prime.

 

[tullfan68]

he was greco correct?

 

[86PSUPaul]

he was greco correct?

Yes

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

https://media.giphy.com/media/l0HlMG1EX2H38cZeE/giphy-downsized-large.gif

 

[GogglesPaizano]

I gotta say...not a fan of some of the negative comments related to this. It takes an incredibly high level of self-belief and determination to do the things in life that Rulon has. Many people thrive off of challenging themselves with something that is almost crazy. My dad is definitely one of those people. Dad wrestled until he was 50 (though certainly not at the national level). And since then, he's summitted many mountains, hiked many long trails, kayaked the susquehanna from source to mouth, etc. He's always looking for the next challenge. And the process of searching for, preparing for, and attempting a challenging endeavor is very good for his mind and body. So, perhaps that is why many of these comments are irritating me a bit.

I wish Rulon all the best. I hope this is a kickstart to getting himself healthier. I hope he makes weight and wrestles. I hope he never stops challenging himself.

I don't think a single person here disrespected his accomplishment, that was one of the greatest in the history of Olympic wrestling.

That said most of us also possess some common sense, as well as a sense of humor. How could you not laugh out loud to the submerged Kayak?

What I think most of us are trying to highlight is a tremendous respect for world level wrestling. It's almost a certainly that Burroughs, Dake, DT, and Snyder will not be able to complete at age 40 even if in great shape. Time always wins.

I will grant you Greco is far from the same animal, but common sense says a giant former Olympic champion in his 50's could probably handle your dad in his 50's - good on both of them.

Can he win a spot onto our olympic team? Nonsensical!

 

[js8793]

I don't think a single person here disrespected his accomplishment, that was one of the greatest in the history of Olympic wrestling.

That said most of us also possess some common sense, as well as a sense of humor. How could you not laugh out loud to the submerged Kayak?

What I think most of us are trying to highlight is a tremendous respect for world level wrestling. It's almost a certainly that Burroughs, Dake, DT, and Snyder will not be able to complete at age 40 even if in great shape. Time always wins.

I will grant you Greco is far from the same animal, but common sense says a giant former Olympic champion in his 50's could probably handle your dad in his 50's - good on both of them.

Can he win a spot onto our olympic team? Nonsensical!

This is what the master's division is for. He's going to get himself hurt.

 

[amattaro]

In a fat, lazy society, if signing up for the open is his motivator to get himself healthy, I’m all for it. If the open is open, he can decide how much risk he is at. Free country n’at.

 

[Cstroke]

If he has shed a few pounds and gotten healthier training for this thats great.. He should possibly rethink picking up the ankle bands...

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

If he has shed a few pounds and gotten healthier training for this thats great.. He should possibly rethink picking up the ankle bands...

I need too shed a “few” pounds, I think you could as well,hahaha.


This situation calls for far more than the normal dieting.

 

[amattaro]

If he has shed a few pounds and gotten healthier training for this thats great.. He should possibly rethink picking up the ankle bands...

They don’t wear ankle bands, n00b.

 

[tikk10]

 

[Cstroke]

They don’t wear ankle bands, n00b.

LOL the joke was picturing him putting them on.

 

[82bordeaux]

@smalls103 is off the hook on his public bet.

 

[diggerpup]

I gotta say...not a fan of some of the negative comments related to this. It takes an incredibly high level of self-belief and determination to do the things in life that Rulon has. Many people thrive off of challenging themselves with something that is almost crazy. My dad is definitely one of those people. Dad wrestled until he was 50 (though certainly not at the national level). And since then, he's summitted many mountains, hiked many long trails, kayaked the susquehanna from source to mouth, etc. He's always looking for the next challenge. And the process of searching for, preparing for, and attempting a challenging endeavor is very good for his mind and body. So, perhaps that is why many of these comments are irritating me a bit.

I wish Rulon all the best. I hope this is a kickstart to getting himself healthier. I hope he makes weight and wrestles. I hope he never stops challenging himself.

Reportedly 20lbs over the limit.