Rulon Gardner

Olympic Channel Releases Trailer for "Rulon Gardner Won't Die"

By United World Wrestling Press

The Olympic Channel has released the trailer for its upcoming documentary on 2000 Olympic gold medalist wrestlers Rulon GARDNER (USA). The film, "Rulon Gardner Won't Die" is set to be released on Wednesday, June 3rd.

From the Olympic Channel press release about the release of the trailer:

MADRID – 13 May 2020  At the Olympic Games Sydney 2000, Greco-Roman wrestler Rulon Gardner beat the world’s most dominant wrestler and three-time reigning Olympic champion, Aleksandr Karelin of Russia, propelling him to stardom. But what came after the ‘miracle on the mat’ was even more unpredictable. Gardner’s incredible story is featured in the upcoming Olympic Channel feature-length documentary, Rulon Gardner Won’t Die, which premieres worldwide on Wednesday, 3 June at olympicchannel.com and on its apps for mobile and connected TV devices.

Rulon Gardner Won’t Die, part of the Five Rings Films collection, tells the inspiring story of Rulon Gardner, the youngest of nine children from a Wyoming farming family, who twenty years ago shocked the world at the Olympic Games in Sydney and became an American icon overnight. Instant fame was then followed by tragedy and adversity including near-death experiences, crushing weight gain and bankruptcy. Now, he’s returned to wrestling as a high school coach and is trying to make sense of his legacy – both as an American icon and a cautionary tale for what can come after a miracle.

“This film is an honest look at not only the success I have achieved, but at the hardships that preceded and have followed my Olympic experience,” said Gardner. “I hope that people watching at home will find their own sources of motivation and determination - especially during tough and unpredictable times like we are going through now - and remember that when you get knocked down, you can always get up and persevere.”

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Grappling, AMMA 2026 European C'ships in Yerevan, Asians in Vietnam

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (January 27) -- United World Wrestling has announced the dates and host cities for its 2026 Grappling, Pankration and Amateur MMA continental championships.

The 2026 Grappling, Pankration & AMMA Asian Championships will take place in Da Nang, Vietnam, from May 13 to 19, 2026. The event will feature competitions in the U15, U17, U20 and Senior age categories, bringing together top athletes from across the Asian continent.

Shortly after, the 2026 Grappling, Pankration & AMMA European Championships will be held in Yerevan, Armenia, from May 23 to June 1, 2026. The European Championships will include all age categories.

Both these competition will lay foundation for the World Championships of Grappling, Pankration and Amateur MMA in 2026.

Further information regarding event regulations, entry deadlines, and logistical details will be communicated in due course by UWW. National Federations are encouraged to mark the dates and contact UWW for any queries.