by Karen Moore

Created on: April 26, 2008

Maybe I am a little, okay a lot, biased when it comes to the best wrestlers in Olympic history. It isn't everyday that a gold medalist is from the same state you live in, let alone a state that is not known for breeding Olympians, but Rulon Gardner put Wyoming in the Olympic history books. Rulon not only won the gold in 2000, but took it away from the three time Russian champion, Aleksandr Karelin, who had not lost in 13 years. Rulon's gold medal in the Greco-roman style of wrestling was the third gold medal brought home to the United States from that discipline. Rulon also competed in the 2004 Olympics and after winning the bronze left his shoes on the wrestling mat signaling the end of his wrestling career. This gesture created a sigh of pride and disappointment across the state.

Aleksandr Karelin was a super heavyweight wrestler who many thought could not be beaten. Some say Karelin had a lapse in focus when Rulon Gardner took the only point scored in the gold medal match, but others say Rulon bested the Russian with better wrestling. Karelin had won the three prior Olympics with consecutive gold medals the fourth wrestler to accomplish such a feat. He was given the nickname of "the Experiment", as many believed he was a Russian science experiment due to his size and ability to maneuver.

But, with all bias aside, one only has to go back to the beginning of what is considered modern Olympics, to see two of the best wrestlers that also need mentioned. In 1912 the time limit of one hour for a match only applied to qualifying bouts. The finalists wrestled until one gave up or was obviously beaten. These matches were also held outside without protection from the elements. Making the Guinness Book of Records, the final match between Alfred Asikainen, from Finland, and Martin Klein from Russia lasted almost 12 hours. The match left the winner, Klein, exhausted and he lost the gold medal bout. Time limits were imposed in future Olympic wrestling matches. Endurance, perseverance, guts and commitment from these great early wrestlers set the stage for the upcoming to strive for.

Taking three titles at different Olympics are the standouts of great wresters in Olympic history. Aleksandr Karelin, already mentioned, Russian Alexandre Medved, Swedish Ivar Johansson and Swedish Carl Westergren.

Carl Westergren could be called the founder of modern Olympic wrestling and won the title for middleweight in 1920, the title for light heavyweight in 1924 and the heavyweight title

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>