As good as gold: two years removed from accomplishing the unthinkable, Rulon Gardner is still going strong - Cool down - Olympic wrestler - Interview

Men's Fitness, Feb, 2002 by Allan Donnelly

Fame was never the goal. Winning an Olympic gold medal was. But, as is the case when you defeat a living legend--thus ending Goliath's reign of 13 consecutive years without a loss--fame has a way of finding you. Just ask Rulon Gardner.

When he stepped into the role of David on Greco-Roman wrestling's biggest stage in the summer of 2000, Gardner was a relative unknown. But following his 1-0 win over Russia's Alexander Karelin--think Rocky Balboa vs. Ivan Drago--in the finals of the super-heavyweight class in only the second-ever meeting between the two behemoths, the 6' 1", 286-pound Gardner's name spread across the nation faster than Speedy Gonzalez on steroids. Stints on Jay Leno, Good Morning America and as the poster boy for the Got Milk? campaign followed, and Gardner's life hasn't been the same since.

"To go from being basically unknown to all of a sudden have people respect you and want to see you and meet you and speak to their groups, to have that happen is pretty earth-shattering," Gardner says. "It's only a nine-minute match, but it's changed my life, every aspect of it. It's pretty incredible."

It's also incredible when you manage to send the king into retirement after toppling him from his throne. Karelin hasn't officially announced his retirement, but the "Siberian Bear" is definitely in hibernation. He hasn't wrestled since the loss and isn't expected to compete at the upcoming World Championships.

When asked if he caused the most intimidating presence in modern-day Greco-Roman wrestling to retire, Gardner shrugs it off. "I hope so," he says. One thing's for certain: Even if Karelin stays retired, a host of challengers are undoubtedly licking their chops in anticipation of taking down the man who took down the legend. If Gardner handles that pressure as well as he's handled his celebrity status, the bull's-eye could remain on his back for quite some time.

Q: You faced an uphill climb in beating Karelin at the 2000 Olympics. What do you tell people facing similar obstacles?

A: Never lose focus of your goal and always keep in mind what you're after. Be ready and be willing to commit 100 percent to the task. Don't ever take second-best. You only live once, so you might as well go for it if you're going to go for it.

Q: You won a gold medal representing your country. How has the significance of representing your country changed in light of recent events?

A: The best thing out there is to be able to represent your country. But the people who really deserve a lot of the credit are the armed forces, the military, who are defending our freedom. Those are the people I respect.

Q: You grew up on a farm in Wyoming as the youngest of nine children. What's the worst chore to get stuck with on a farm?

A: Either you're the one who gets to shovel the manure with a pitchfork or a shovel, or you're stacking hay down in the pit and your brothers and sisters are trying to throw hay bales on you and trying to hurt you.

Q: What's the best?

A: Going to town to get something to drink.

Q: How does that background help on the mat?

A: It taught me to stay focused and not lose direction of what I had to do. My focus was to keep working and focus on everything I need to be the best I can be. If I go out there and worry about things that I shouldn't be worried about, I really lose ground.