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Rulon Gardner - Wrestling Hero

Rulon Gardner - Wrestling Hero

How the son of American farmers defeated a Russian champion considered unbeatable.

Sporting Witness · BBC World Service

June 11, 20208m 59s

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Show Notes

At the 2000 Olympics, American Rulon Gardner pulled off the greatest shock in the history of modern Greco-Roman wrestling when he beat the Russian Aleksander Karelin. Karelin had not been defeated for 13 years and had already prepared a party to celebrate his latest gold medal. The win made Gardner a hero in America and is credited with sparking a boom in the popularity of his sport. He talks to Ashley Byrne. The programme is a Made-in-Manchester Production.

PHOTO: Rulon Gardner (Getty Images)