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The TRUTH Behind The Greatest Upset Ever

wrestletok21

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In one of the most unbelievable upsets in Olympic history, Rulon Gardner — an American farm kid from Wyoming — did the impossible. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, he faced Aleksandr Karelin, the Russian wrestling machine who hadn’t lost in 13 years and hadn’t given up a single point in six.

This video breaks down how Gardner used strategy, composure, and heart to dethrone the most dominant wrestler of all time. From Karelin’s unmatched Greco-Roman dominance to Gardner’s unshakable mindset, this is the story of grit, belief, and the power of never giving up.

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🎵 Karl Casey ‪@WhiteBatAudio‬ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Music: Shell Ghost by Soundridemusic
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20 Comments

@jordo.e108 9 months ago

at the end of the day Karelin is the example of what you should do when you lose a match don't blame something cause he had his chances, wrestling is a sport where you can't always blame the ref it's on you

@Broke_Stacker 6 months ago (edited)

Not to take away from Gardner's talent and hard work, but his shape was so key to the win. Karelin couldn't wrap around his arms and get the right grip and leverage to throw him around. The sweat and sheer shape of the man was enough to delete his greatest strengths and frustrate him. Epic.

@bricevanderhoef4677 6 months ago

Took that long for 1 person to not be completely destroyed by him. Rules aside no one would stand a chance

@dinocollins720 11 months ago

Another great video thank you again

@dasshape00 11 months ago

Karelin did look sickly 4 him. His body wasnt full and as strong looking. They probably mis timed his cylce. But the rule change did sink him. But they both fought under same rules. It was a great victory.

@bigk8210 1 month ago

I think had he continued wrestling other guys would have started beating Karelin. Gardner showed the world that we isn't just some unbeatable wrestling machine. He is a man and he can be beaten.

Like Dr. Bannister breaking the 4-minute mile. It seemed impossible. Then after it happened other guys started doing it.

@reedw5060 11 months ago

WADA formation 1999, new anti doping rules, higher fines and expanded list of banned substances beginning January 2000

@ControlDialedin 6 months ago (edited)

You don’t use ai voices effectively by writing the script yourself, you do so by having a language model write the transcript too.

@DurianKong 3 months ago

Impressive

@JimmyDaBone 5 months ago

Fire good.

@MrJamesSantiago 9 months ago

I never hear anyone address this: Ref gave Rulon the point when it was way too close. Fair enough. But TWICE Rulon blocked Karelins toss illegally and the announcer even said it. He should've had 2 points just for that. His arm block was crystal clear from all angles. Those two blocks are the ONLY reason Karelin was so gassed. He was supposed to have his arms and legs sprawled out and you can clearly see the blocks from any angle. Ref did him dirty for 3 points... not just the grip penalty.

@dinocollins720 11 months ago

I’m from Wyoming too! My high school wrestles against Star Valley where Rulon is from.

Rulon visited my school when I was like 8. I have a picture where Rulon has his arm around my shoulder. I have a bunch of signed gear as well.

Incredible what Rulon did and inspiring to so many to do the impossible!

@jobudoherty 11 months ago

I'm all for USA and Husker wrestling but Rulon got lucky

@VivaPRRD21 7 months ago

Karelin didn’t look as strong as he had in the past. And yeah the clinch rule which doesn’t exist anymore I thought was a little ridiculous. But a win is a win for Rulon 🇺🇸

@elsolo00 3 weeks ago

Karelin Still a beast

@JosephMiller-gh6mv 11 months ago

Anyone who says age was not a part , 33 at that time was older then today , age plays apart after fight you not as good as last time in all sports ,and goofing on new rules happens remember the long count Dempsey vs Tunney