Rulon Gardner works out at a downtown hotel. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        Rulon Gardner's life changed forever the moment Alexander Karelin's slipped apart. But it didn't change Gardner.

        His victory over Karelin in the heavyweight Greco-Roman Olympic final last year made Gardner rich and famous. But he is still a plain-talking Wyoming farm boy.

        Gardner, in town to wrestle in the World Team Trials that begin today at Xavier's Cintas Center, gives honest answers.

        “I'm trying to ride this endorsement thing as much as I can,” he said. “You want to make as much money as you can from it. I've done pretty well. You could always do better.”

        Gardner keeps busy with speaking engagements and public appearances. He won the Sullivan Award as the nation's outstanding amateur athlete. But the highlight of post-Olympic fever was a parade in hometown of Afton, Wyo. — population 1,630.

        “That was great,” he said.

        Gardner was unknown outside wrestling circles before the Olympics. He had never finished higher than fifth in a world championship event before Sydney.

Gardner and Alexander Karelin in the 2000 Olympic final. | ZOOM |

Gardner celebrates in Sydney. (AP photos) | ZOOM |

        Going into the Games, Gardner and the rest of the Greco heavyweights were thought to be wrestling for the silver. That's how dominant Karelin was. Karelin, a three-time gold medalist, had not lost since 1986. At 6 feet, 4 inches and 286 pounds, he was described as “inhumanly strong.” The Russian's reverse body lift, which often ended with an opponent getting dumped on his head, was so scary opponents rolled onto their backs and took a pin rather than be subjected to it.

        Gardner does not look like the type of guy to dethrone someone like Karelin. Gardner is as soft as Karelin is chiseled.

        But Gardner beat Karelin 1-0 in overtime. Gardner won when Karelin unlocked his hands during a clinch. Just like that, Gardner was the most famous wrestler in the world. He celebrated with a cartwheel and front somersault.

        “It changed everything,” he said.

        Gardner suddenly had a chance to make a living as a wrestler. Outside the World Wrestling Federation, that was almost impossible.

        “It was,” he said. “I'm trying to develop wrestling and take it to the next level.”

TICKETS

All sessions: $50; Challenge sessions: $10; Finals: $30 (youth $20).

SCHEDULE

TODAY   9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Greco-Roman Challenge Tournament   4-8 p.m.: Men's and Women's Freestyle Challenge Tournament   SATURDAY   9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Greco-Roman Challenge Tournament   4-8p.m.: Men's and Women's Freestyle Challenge Tournament   SUNDAY   9:30-11:30 a.m.: Championship Series, Match No.1, all three styles   11:30 a.m.-noon: True Third Place National Team matches (if needed)   3:30-5:30 p.m.: Championship Series, Match No.2, all three styles   5:30-6:30 p.m.: Championship Series, Match No.3 (if needed)

        Gardner, by the way, did have a chance to get in on that WWF cash. He had a $1 million offer to join Vince McMahon's circus.

        “I thought about it,” he said. “It's great entertainment. But I'm into the pure aspect of wrestling. I think I can be successful at this.”

        But it isn't easy for Gardner.

        Afton, where he grew up on a dairy farm as the youngest of nine children, remains his home, but he trains at the U.S. Olympic Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. A lot of days, there aren't any heavyweights to challenge him.

        “They don't like working out with me,” he said. “I don't know why. I guess it's because I go 100 percent all the time.

        “A lot of guys don't like that. Things happen with injuries.”

        Gardner won't wrestle at the World Team Trials until Sunday. As a national champion, he gets an automatic berth in the finals. He'll face the challenge tournament winner in a best-of-three series.

        “All I have to do is win two matches and I'm on the world team,” Gardner said.

        Karelin is not expected to be at the World Championships.

        “We hear he's officially retired,” Gardner said. “We're hoping he stays out. He's been the man. But there's been a changing of the guard. I want that spot.

        “But I have the greatest respect for him. He's just a really nice person.”
       

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