Alexander Karelin
| Full Name : | Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Karelin |
| Public : | Alexander Karelin |
| Nickname : | Russian Bear |
| Country : | Russia  |
| DOB : | September 19, 1967 (Age 42) |
| Place : | Novosibirsk, Russian SFSR |
| Height : | 6' 4" |
| Weight : | 285 lbs. |
| Sport : | Olympics - Summer |
| Team : | Wrestling |
| Level : | Olympic |
| Status : | Legend |
| Olympics | ||
| Gold | 1996 Atlanta | Super heavyweight |
| Gold | 1992 Barcelona | Super heavyweight |
| Gold | 1988 Seoul | Super heavyweight |
| Silver | 2000 Sydney | 97 - 130 kg |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 1999 Athens | |
| Gold | 1998 Gävle | |
| Gold | 1997 Wroclaw | |
| Gold | 1995 Prague | |
| Gold | 1994 Tampere | |
| Gold | 1993 Stockholm | |
| Gold | 1991 Varna | |
| Gold | 1990 Ostia | |
| Gold | 1989 Martigny | |
| European Championships | ||
| Gold | 2000 Moscow | |
| Gold | 1999 Sofia | |
| Gold | 1998 Minsk | |
| Gold | 1996 Budapest | |
| Gold | 1995 Besançon | |
| Gold | 1994 Athens | |
| Gold | 1993 Istanbul | |
| Gold | 1992 Copenhagen | |
| Gold | 1991 Aschaffenburg | |
| Gold | 1990 PoznaĆ | |
| Gold | 1989 Oulu |
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| Gold | 1988 Kolbotyn |
|
Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Karelin, or Alexander Karelin, nicknamed the Russian Bear, is a retired Russian wrestler known for his immense strength and incredible physical stature for his weight category. He was born in Novosibirsk, Russian SFSR on September 19, 1967.
Karelin is regarded as the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler in the history of the sport. He won Gold Medals at the 1988, 1992, and 1996 Olympic Games. He remained undefeated in international competition for 13 years until 2000, at the Sydney Olympics when he defeated in a massive upset by Rulon Gardner. He never conceded a single point in the last 6 years of his streak that ran from 1987 until 2000. For his achievements, Karelin was awarded the distinction "Hero of the Russian Federation".
Karelin's unprecedented success in international wrestling competition led many to believe he was the result of some kind of scientific experiment. He was also called The Experiment. When asked about his opinion regarding this, he would simply state "I train every day of my life as they have never trained a day in theirs."
Karelin was known for his trademark move called the Karelin Lift, which involves hoisting opponents who are facedown in the mat into the air and slamming them back hard into the mat. This move spawned a number of influences in popular culture.
Politics
Karelin officially retired from competitive wrestling in 2000 and began his political career. He joined the United Russia party and was elected to the State Duma as a representative of the Novosibirsk Oblast in 1999 and 2003. In 2007 he was elected to the Duma as a representative of the Stavropol Krai. He is a member of Duma's committee on international affairs.
Professional Wrestling
On February 21, 1999 Aleksandr Karelin defeated Akira Maeda in a worked Professional Wrestling contest that drew an incredible gate of $2.5 million. The match gained widespread media coverage, including mentions in The New York Times and Sports Illustrated. The match took place in the Maeda owned Professional Wrestling organisation, RINGS.
