Knowra Aleksandr Karelin Aleksandr Karelin Aleksandr Karelin is a Russian Greco-Roman wrestler and politician, widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers in the sport’s history. He won three Olympic gold medals and one silver.
1996 Summer Olympics : The Summer Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia, from July 19 to August 4, 1996. Karelin won the super-heavyweight Greco-Roman title in Atlanta, securing his third consecutive Olympic gold.
Greco-Roman wrestling : A wrestling style in which holds and attacks are restricted to the upper body. This was Karelin’s discipline and the ruleset that made his lifting technique distinctive.
Viktor Kuznetsov : A Soviet and Russian Greco-Roman wrestling coach who trained Aleksandr Karelin. Kuznetsov coached Karelin through the athlete’s long run of international success.
Novosibirsk : A major city in southwestern Siberia, Russia, on the Ob River. Karelin was born and began wrestling in Novosibirsk.
International Wrestling Hall of Fame : A hall of fame recognizing notable athletes, coaches, and contributors to wrestling worldwide. Karelin’s career earned him recognition among wrestling’s most distinguished figures.
2000 Summer Olympics : The Summer Olympic Games held in Sydney, Australia, from September 15 to October 1, 2000. Karelin’s final was decided by a single point, ending his Olympic gold-medal streak.
Reverse body lift : A wrestling throw in which a wrestler lifts an opponent backward from a body lock and brings them to the mat. Karelin used this demanding throw to score heavily against opponents in the heavyweight classes.
Rulon Gardner : An American Greco-Roman wrestler who defeated Aleksandr Karelin in the 2000 Olympic final. Gardner’s win ended Karelin’s undefeated international streak and Olympic gold sequence.
Soviet Union : A socialist state that existed in Eurasia from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. Karelin began his elite career representing the Soviet Union before competing for Russia.
United World Wrestling : The international governing body for amateur wrestling, founded in 1912. The sport’s governing body has honored Karelin as a leading figure in wrestling history.
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