Atlanta, 23 July 1996: Aleksandr KARELIN (left) of Russia and Siamak GHAFFARI of the United States square up to each other in the super heavyweight Greco-Roman wrestling final bout during the Games of the XXVI Olympiad. Credit: Getty Images/Pascal RondeauOther names: KARELIN, Aleksander, KARELINE, Aleksander, KARELINE, Alexandre
Born: 19 September 1967
Birthplace: Novosibirsk (Russia)
Nationality: Russia
Sport: Wrestling
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Seoul 1988
Barcelona 1992
Atlanta 1996
Sydney 2000
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 3
Silver: 1
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 9 (89, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98, 99)
The Gentle Giant
In 1988, Siberian-born Aleksandr Karelin easily defeated his first four opponents in the super heavyweight division of Greco-Roman wrestling. He trailed Bulgaria's Rangel Gerovski 3-0 with 30 seconds left in the final. He then used a reverse body lift to score a 5-point takedown. Undefeated between Olympics, Karelin had no trouble winning his second gold medal in 1992. Once again, only one of his opponents lasted until the time limit.
At the 1996 Atlanta Games, Karelin outscored his five opponents 25-0 and became the first wrestler to win the same weight division three times. By the time of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Karelin had wrestled for 13 years without being beaten. He made it to the final again, but his quest for a fourth gold medal was thwarted when he experienced a rare lapse of concentration and lost 1-0 to Rulon Gardner of the United States. Despite his intimidating presence, Karelin was a soft-spoken student of literature. In 1999, he was elected to the State Duma lower house.
