Rulon Gardner considers comeback to wrestling
It was during his induction ceremonies at the National
Wrestling Hall of Fame in June 2010 when 2000 Olympic cham- pion Rulon Gardner realized that he had let things slip too far. “I realized that I was in severe danger and going down a path where my life could end prematurely,” said Gardner. “It was a choice to listen to people around me. The people in the wrestling community emphasized positive things about chang- ing my life. The wrestlers were honest enough to confront me and say my health was a serious issue. I decided I need to get control of my life again and ask for help to get back on track.” Since last summer, Gardner has taken major steps to get his life back in order, not only concerning his weight but also in all aspects of his lifestyle. A big part of that journey included becoming a contestant on The Biggest Loser, a popular NBC weight loss show. Although Gardner is no longer on the show, he believes that he is heading in the right direction. For the first time in awhile, Gardner is confidently looking ahead and setting high goals for himself. Now 39 years old, his first priorities are his marriage and his business, and finding joy in life on a daily basis. However, he also has made wrestling a focus in his future.
In late April, Gardner returned to the wrestling room at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for some Greco-Roman wrestling workouts. He trained with National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser and a number of the U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athletes. He is seriously con- sidering lacing back on the shoes again as an athlete. “My competitive fire is back. There are different directions I would like to go with it. I am contemplating competing again. I’m back training. I have had an opportunity to go to Colorado Springs, and feel where my physical conditioning is and learn where my physical strength is. My muscle memory will not come back quickly. I know it is a multi-month project. But my body is in the process of coming back. I have personal goals I have set for myself for the next couple of years,” said Gardner. As Gardner continues to return into wrestling shape, he will gauge his progress and make a decision about where this will lead him.
This time around, Gardner says he would be wrestling for many other people, including those who have helped him recov- er from obesity as well as those he has inspired as he regained control of his life.
27 USA Wrestler
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