Wrestling champion strives to inspire
NICHOLAS DERASMO, The Saratogian
GREENFIELD — Rulon Gardner made history at the 2000 Olympic games in a wrestling match that will forever be known as the ‘Miracle on the Mat.’
On Monday, the two-time Olympic medalist made a stop at the Greenfield Elementary School. He was there to give a motivational speech, and the students watched him in awe.
‘I’m here to share my dreams with them and let them know their dreams are obtainable,’ Gardner said.
Gardner has had to overcome many challenges, including learning disabilities on his route to success.
‘I was put into special education as a young student,’ he said. ‘My friends would laugh at me because I wasn’t as fast of a reader as they were.’
The 2000 Olympics finals match was referred to as ‘David vs. Goliath.’ Gardner’s gold medal victory has been called the greatest upset in wrestling history. A true underdog, Gardner beat Alexander Karelin, who hadn’t lost a match in 13 years.
That was one of the moments from his life that he used to help students Monday realize one thing — dreams do come true.
About 300 students in second through fifth grades attended the assembly.
‘Did you ever think about giving up?’ one student asked.
Gardner replied, ‘Only once, when I retired.’
The announcement of his retirement at the 2004 Olympics was another memorable moment. Gardner left his shoes on the wrestling mat, as a sign of his retirement after winning the bronze medal match.
The wrestler grew up in Afton, Wyo., and was raised on a dairy farm. He cites that upbringing as a reason for his success.
‘I learned responsibilities there that made me strong,’ he said. Gardner use to wrestle his brother, Reynold, to see who had to do the most chores.
He spoke to the Greenfield Elementary School students about his desires to never give up.
‘My mother inspired me,’ he said. ‘She gave me the vision to work hard every day.’
Gardner also told the students of his near-death experience when he was stranded in the wilderness after he had lost track of his friends.
‘I lost a toe to frostbite,’ Gardner said. ‘The doctor told me I wouldn’t be able to wrestle again, but I told him to just give me a chance.’
Gardner proved the doctors wrong in 2004 when he competed his second time in the Olympics.
Many people doubted him when he was growing up, he said.
‘After I won the gold medal, my friends came up to me and told me they were sorry that they ever doubted me,’ he said.
Gardner has now dedicated his time to giving motivational speeches and clinics. His autobiography, ‘Never Stop Pushing,’ was published this year.
He is proud of his accomplishments both on and off the mat, having graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in physical education.
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