The Man With a PhD in SUPLEXES | Tales From the Bottle

Not only did he have the size, strength and speed to dominate his opponents - he also had the smarts.
"Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Karelin (Russian: Александр Александрович Карелин, IPA: [ɐlʲɪkˈsandr ɐlʲɪkˈsandrəvʲɪtɕ kɐˈrʲelʲɪn]; born 19 September 1967) is a Russian politician and retired athlete.
Karelin competed in Greco-Roman wrestling, representing the Soviet Union and Russia between 1987 and 2000. Nicknamed the "Russian Bear", "Russian King Kong", "Alexander the Great" and "The Experiment", he is widely considered to be the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of all time. Karelin won gold medals at the 1988, 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games under a different flag each time (Soviet Union, Unified Team and Russia respectively), and a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games. His wrestling record is 887 wins and two losses, both by a single point. Prior to his last match versus Rulon Gardner in September 2000, a point had not been scored on him within the previous six years. He went undefeated in the world championships, having never lost a match. Karelin was the national flag bearer at three consecutive Olympics: in 1988 for the Soviet Union, in 1992 for the Unified Team, and in 1996 for Russia.
Karelin entered politics in 1999, being elected a deputy of the State Duma that year. He sat in the Duma through various convocations until 2020, when he entered the Federation Council as a senator."
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[@Qxir]

Join membership: kzbin.info/door/GHDQtN_vzFYJaq_Fx1eikgjoin Second Channel: kzbin.info/door/t93hxFmjppL5nLRAX94UrA Merch: qxir.creator-spring.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/qxir Twitter: twitter.com/QxirYT Discord: discord.gg/jZzvvwJ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/qxiryt/ Subreddit: www.reddit.com/r/Qxir/

[@deletdis6173]

qXiR sAId The MUsiC ON mY pAge wAs fIre (NoT A BoT)

[@deletdis6173]

All kidding aside, love your channel. Been subscribed since like 100k or so.

[@whatiswhatlawl]

I just noticed that you won the CreatorDAO thing! Congrats!

[@deletdis6173]

@@whatiswhatlawl I voted. 😏

[@jeremytate3664]

Much love from Louisiana ❤ love your work

[@scotts918]

No complaints, no bitching, no appeals, dude was like "Fuck it, rules changed, didn't know, fair play" - Humble, and gracious af, hats off to him for that

[@dougaltolan3017]

Outstanding.

[@anlasma7942]

probabily knew it, har to change ecaes worth of habit

[@aaftiyoDkcdicurak]

After winning that many he could definitely afford to lose one.

[@tony_5156]

Disgraceful tho Technicality bs to a fat American

[@SkillZgetKillZ]

​@@anlasma7942you "D" button broken?

[@olachens]

Fun Fact: He once said his toughest opponent was his refrigerator, which he had bear hugged and carried up 8 flights of stairs to get to his apartment.

[@TriflingToad]

i would have a struggle getting a soda can up 8 flights of stairs, that man is insane

[@kotzpenner]

I remember getting my fridge and the delivery guy carried the thing up 2 floors at once. He was a beast.

[@concept5631]

​@@kotzpenner What a God

[@Dizzula]

Tru dat bruv. We all been there

[@CarMad97ci]

I was a removalist for years, and I bought a second hand fridge, and had no one to help me that day. I had to get this huge fridge up 2 flights of stairs, by myself, with no trolley. 8 flights would SUCK!

[@johnronald9767]

The Greeks had the idea of the ideal man being athletic/strong as well as being intelligent and a philosopher. If this guy lived in ancient Greece he would have been considered the greatest man to have ever lived.

[@elroma7712]

is he Plato reincarnated ?

[@Zminator1986]

​@@elroma7712 or a Plato clone from a decommissioned Soviet lab?

[@haroldthaf]

By Philosophically Suplexing the shit out of everyone in debates.

[@Vile_Entity_3545]

If they was an American competing today they would call themselves Alexa and be competing in the women’s class 😂

[@M4CH1N3_M4N_]

"The Society that separates it's scholars from it's warriors will have it's thinking done by cowards and it's fighting by fools." -Thucydides.

[@isuckatnames6033]

>Suffers one loss early on >Avenges it immediately while recovering from injury and illness >Goes on to have a grand total of 887 wins in his lifetime and zero further losses >Loses a second time >Retires immediately The sheer essence of gigachad

[@pebbletrees]

Actual shonen anime behavior

[@TubeOfLaughes]

And that loss wasn't even due to being overpowered. It was on a technicality. Talk about a track record!

[@noranizaazmi6523]

Absolute demigod, and honestly peak human performance

[@jakef.7126]

He's a genocidal Z fascist. He is now human scum.

[@ryanpeck3377]

@@TubeOfLaughesThat and the fact his opponent was a giant fatass who was too big to slam. Wouldnt be surprised if he made the team just for that reason

[@purplehaze2358]

His life story sounds less like, well, a life story; and more like a summary of the feats of a mythological demigod or hero.

[@simethigsomethingidfk]

My god. That must be the first semicolon I have ever witnessed outside of school. Also yes, very true

[@themenacingpenguin.7152]

@@simethigsomethingidfk semicolons? on the internet? I only know . , ! and ? maybe : if that counts, and yes this dude is could easily be a menace.

[@harveyholmes9533]

It sounds like the kind of backstory a Russian bad guy would have had in 1980s pro wrestling

[@AL-lh2ht]

Then it ends with him supporting war to kill Ukrainians.

[@syntpehn6801]

@@simethigsomethingidfk pretty tragic because it's an improper use of a semicolon

[@climberly]

Total respect for all the guys that even tried to wrestle him. Imagine the intimidation factor going into that match when you look at that guy and remember he's only ever lost once and he's about the size of a small car.

[@andrewweitzman4006]

I'm thinking more Crown Vic, myself.

[@burtan2000]

That man monster that beat him finally: I remember that dude! No one thought he'd stand a chance he had little experience and look at his love handles! He's a very humble man as well, just like his Russian counterpart. He wasn't bigger than the Russian but about same size. His advantage: living and training at high altitudes! IIRC his home is like 13k feet and he trained really hard so when he competed at 1k ft, he far more stamina. Combine that with his size and youth, he outlasted the guy.

[@ericboos4521]

​@@andrewweitzman4006 I got one of them, the way it feels and handles I'd say that's an accurate statement lol

[@SAIIIURAI]

Athletes who had a match with him just saw it as a lesson for recovering from a loss!

[@lyhuy7413]

@@SAIIIURAI In Soviet Union and Russia you cannot trust everything they say like that man probably bribed his way to get high ranking education and he probably taking steroids or something similar behind ours back to bolster the Soviet Russia regime propaganda 😊😅😂🎉

[@zaiz6018]

The man really said “you can’t have a win/lose ratio if you haven’t lost at least once”

[@JulianSloman]

That's so hilarious, because you can't divide by 0... but apparently you can, it's called an "undefined ratio" - kind of unsatisfying. If you flip it lose/win ratio, it's 0:X - but since it's "reduced" it's also 0:1 and 0:30 and 0:1000000. Seems wild - ^.^' - such a neat edge case

[@PrezVeto]

To which I hope someone pointed out: actually, your ratio would be ∞. 🤓 Too bad his PhD wasn't in math. 😛

[@zaiz6018]

This is why we can’t have nice things

[@MonTube2006]

​@@PrezVetohe didn't actually said that. You fell for it

[@PrezVeto]

@@MonTube2006 To respond with similar thoughtfulness: your mom.

[@avena7506]

This is the actual gigachad. He left no stone unturned intellectually and physically and appreciated all his gifts.

[@AL-lh2ht]

and now he is part of the government that invade Ukraine to commit genocide. Yay.

[@eustab.anas-mann9510]

Fun fact the Gigachad model is also a Russian.

[@russkatherealoriginal6904]

Its sad how propaganda and the recent Russo Ukraine war ruined Russia's image and how people view Russians. I do agree that what Russia is doing in Ukraine is fucking illegal and plain evil, but not all Russians are the evil orks that certain pro-Ukranian people(specific minority among them) they are depicted to be. Its honestly sad.

[@jakef.7126]

He has the blood of women and children on his hands.

[@lolihitler4198]

@@jakef.7126 yeah no shit hes a politician whats your point?

[@MitchJohnson0110]

Even in the US Karelin is a legend in wrestling. He's basically the real life Ivan Drago and his shocking upset loss to American dairy farm boy Rulon Gardner was like something out of a movie.

[@tonyespinoza3891]

Fr. He saved Chanel sonnen and Matt lindland from getting lynched by a russian mob

[@ShmoopDooper]

why were they being lynched?

[@tonyespinoza3891]

@@ShmoopDooper I think they pissed off the mob or something. Search it up, Chael made a whole video on it

[@jakef.7126]

He's a war criminal

[@connor3284]

@@jakef.7126 Cry about it. His record in the sport speaks for itself.

[@thexen3120]

A revered legend in combat sports. The stories of the man are astounding. Freestyle wrestlers were born out of fear as Greco Roman could lead you into facing this monster.

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

I kind of got sad wondering if he supports Putin's war. Everything I heard about him has been so badass and highbrow, I can hardly picture him being a stooge to Putin :(

[@segfault-]

That's very western of you to say. The US are doing some f-ed up shit too you know. Him being in politics means nothing. Who knows, maybe he'll even exact some positive influence. You don't know him nor his values and goals. Assuming he's an evil henchmen of Putin just because he's a low-rank official is not fair.

[@hmmmhmmm6917]

​@@extragoogleaccount6061 putin putout who cares, stop with the great man theory BS

[@dakabaka4912]

​@@extragoogleaccount6061stop crying. Not everyone is plugged into western globalist propaganda haha.

[@dane1382]

@@extragoogleaccount6061 yeah i was super disappointed when the video said he became a russian politician at putin's invitation

[@Rain_MG]

That Rolan Gardner guy is out of an anime, imagine being a dairy farmer, chasing your dreams and getting into the Olympics then defeating an undefeated God, I'm certain there was main character music there

[@blazednlovinit]

😂😂

[@ProfOak-ci2cc]

Dude was super out of shape too, just a big fat farm boy with no idea what he was doing lol. More like a comic strip character then an anime mc

[@hasturthekinginyellow5003]

​@@ProfOak-ci2cc you clearly don't know what you are talking about, look at Roland's neck, look at his arms, Roland has a straight out of the book powerlifter build, the fact Karelin struggle to overpower him to the point of having to readjust his grip tell you just how strong Rolan was, he may have been a rookie, he may have been of humble origins, and he may have only score one point against Karelin, a point out of a technicality, but he did what more than 200 simply couldn't.

[@ProfOak-ci2cc]

@@hasturthekinginyellow5003 through mostly sheer size and strength, don't try and act like ya boy wasn't flabby af man.

[@hasturthekinginyellow5003]

@@ProfOak-ci2cc wait, wait, wait, wait, you are trying to say that a man who could pick you up with one hand and throw you through a wall with minimum effort is out of shape? Are you really one of those who think that Arnold Schwarzenegger was the epitome of physical health? Are you really that ignorant? Are you really that naive? You dare to call Roland *"flabby"* just because he has a little bit of subdermal fat? I doubt you could overpower, outmaneuvered or outfight him, i bet you are in worse shape than him, i bet you really don't know that for fat to hold like that you *have* to be built like a brick house: look at his stomach: *NO FOLDS* look at his arms: *NO LUMPS* LOOK AT HIS NECK: *ABSOLUTELY NO SECOND CHIN*

[@bruhngl]

This man is the definition of built different

[@fal2218]

Not surprised, hes russian. Those mfs fight bears for fun

[@Yogasefski]

He wasn’t just built different, he was *REINFORCED*

[@notcooper339]

Mf has nano-machines

[@Dizzula]

He's built like three farmers Or, half a farmer

[@pedropedrohan102]

​@@notcooper339i mean he is a senator

[@burtan2000]

@Qxir - one missing but important point: that dairy farmer lived and trained at high altitude his whole life. He's just a simple farm boy from Wyoming IIRC and his home is at an elevation of like 12k feet (idk, something like 2800 meters i think) so when he competed at 1000 feet, he had insane stamina. He also had youth on the then aging philosopher. Two great and humble men!

[@jakef.7126]

One of them is a Z fascist war criminal with the blood of the weak and vulnerable on his hands... so maybe only one great man... the other man can burn in hell.

[@skyper8934]

​@@jakef.7126weren't the ukies marching for bandera and larping as Nazis? Weren't the ukies taking men to the frontlines only from either South or ethnic Hungarian zones? Weren't the ukies the ones that did the Odessa massacre? Or the countless videos of them tourturing PoWs and civilians alike?

[@ryanpeck3377]

Even with all that, he won on a technicality and really only because he was too big of a fatass to get body slammed

[@gordonfreeman7187]

@@skyper8934 Let the idiot who thinks people can do no wrong in the world think whatever they want.

[@nopeboat6436]

So glad to see you're doing so well with your KZbin channel Qxir, I've been here from the start when you had a tin can and string for a microphone. It's great to see not only your mic quality has improved but your well of content has improved as well. Thank you for showing us all such interesting and odd moments of our history

[@px8]

I remember that... sorta prefer those old days:)

[@ddegn]

I remember when all the people in his drawings had round heads.

[@noided4230]

@@px8 the old days were the old days, but thanks to the internet they can be revisited

[@px8]

Dont mean like that, I just prefer his old less dramatized way of talking and his funny jokes like the danzig's bricks stuff. Just felt more humble and the drawings were cool

[@6eight9]

I remember waiting for salmonella to return and one of his videos popped up in my recommended and I've been a fan ever since!!

[@Trash_Boat007]

“The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools.” -Thucydides (Athenian general - 400 B.C.)

[@thebaseandtriflingcreature174]

“Now the society that is comprised entirely of Scholar-Warriors, now THAT”

[@AVI-lh6rm]

I remember some fool saying something along the lines of "People who lift are showing off their stupidity. Every minute spent lifting could've been spent learning arts, languages and fun facts." (Yes he really did say 'fun facts') We all know that statement is stupid, and this wrestler is living proof of that. He is proof that we can exercise ourselves both physically and mentally.

[@newaccountbecauseytvanceds1465]

Realest statement to ever of been uttered.

[@noranizaazmi6523]

@@thebaseandtriflingcreature174 the greeks would have screamed in joy

[@green29373]

Bro is in the endgame, he maxed out strength, smarts, and speed

[@JulianSloman]

and now grinding charisma for the heck of it?

[@AVI-lh6rm]

The only stat he probably hasn't maxxed out is swimming, but that's probably the least useful stat of them all. (If you know, you know lol)

[@nikolaydemidov3448]

He actually fractured his ribs 13 times. And in the world championship in 1993 he broke ribs during the first bout and still became the champion. During one of the Interviews he was asked, how was it to wrestle with broken ribs, and Karelin just answered that it was just hard to warm up, but when he's wrestling on mat, he feels nothing. Incredible power of will...

[@of1564]

You know you are screwed when your opponent has a PhD in suplexes!

[@nickdee5764]

I accepted that challenge, I’m dead now.

[@snowdragon2841]

Unless you happen to be a farm boy from Wyoming.

[@Jackie777]

I get the feeling that the name Experiment could also mean "experimenting on him" (hey dude, would you mind if I tried this thing on you?) and with his methods. Can you do the same? Have you tried? If you can't how would you get out of that?

[@OnlySubhumansWorkAtYouTube]

And PhD in ROIDS!

[@Kowendy]

Nano machines son!

[@Irish_Georgia_Girl]

TWELVE POUNDS AT BIRTH?? His poor mother...owwww!😮

[@BType13X2]

I would imagine he would be a c-section baby or RIP to her cooter.

[@mikedawolf95]

The doodle of his mom 😆

[@kittymervine6115]

I remember this, and it was a memorable moment in how gracious he was and indeed one of the GREATEST ATHLETES.

[@XL1813]

Never heard of this gentleman. Feels like this channel grants more base level insight than school; sometimes.

[@QuartzMatrixed]

He was a big deal back in the day. He was definitely on steroids in USSR. I'm not saying it was why he was great and a genetic freak. But during cold war era, shit was different and they went all out.

[@404Yon]

Can't help but notice some similiarities in Karelin's build, face and background to the Heavy from TF2. I have to wonder if any of the designers where inspired by him when creating the character? Much like Karelin the Heavy is on the surface a powerful brute, with a similiar prominate facial shape, though what really puts it together for me is the connection to literature and intellectual exiles.

[@GrizzledTanker]

Excellent point

[@josefanon8504]

that aligns so well, thanks for the comment

[@enterchannelname8981]

Some people think they can outsmart me. Maybe... maybe. I've yet to meet one who could outsmart suplex

[@davidegaruti2582]

yeah the influence of karelin on pop culture may be incredible ... ivan drago was also likely inspired by him , considering how in rocky 3 rocky trains like karelin ...

[@BazilRat]

This dude is an absolute machine. And I mean that as a term of respect. Hardcore in mind and body.

[@darenmiller2218]

Can confirm everything. I knew about the Karelin lift back in middle school when I was wrestling…25 years ago. Dude is a monster in every aspect.

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

0:44 fun fact: Andy Reid, the coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, was 6 foot 3 and 220 pounds by the time he was 13 years old. He's still that size today. Lol

[@Zeekiel]

whaaat

[@demarcdegasol]

Hes easily 300 pounds today

[@kristopherpoulsen653]

So what? I was like 4 foot 5 when I was 13. Basically the same

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

@DeMarc DeGasol he's 270 now, and he's still 6'3.

[@Yos115]

​@@kristopherpoulsen653Same bro. Absolute units us.

[@nicofrancis6065]

Heavy from TF2 -Extremely strong -Very smart -Russian

[@L_Train]

I remember he had a quote that went something like, "I cannot lie, I see the fear in my opponents eyes".

[@SyntaxDaemon]

I thought it was going to be a metaphorical PhD, not a real one.

[@maryanchabursky9148]

Too be fair this is ruSSia we’re taking about where paying someone to write your PhD and bridging the PhD comity is not uncommon.

[@SyntaxDaemon]

@@maryanchabursky9148 This comment went 5 months without someone starting political bullshit, can we please not do this?

[@tianzhou1244]

​@@maryanchabursky9148where your phD lol

[@stansman5461]

Imagine being one of the people who has to challenge his thesis, and be supplexed as he "defends" it

[@matt_numerix]

the fact that this man is able to throw around men, who themselves could tear me apart with their bare hands, is really astonishing

[@NovaAge]

I'm so disappointed that he doesn't have a PhD in Russian literature to deal with the finances of Sasha

[@Juni_Dingo]

WHO TOUCHED SASHA?!

[@NicoBabyman1]

@@Juni_Dingo WHO TOUCHED MY GUN!!!

[@datadoggieein]

I was also thinking of making a TF2 reference.

[@thewizard1]

I love tee ef two

[@Hu-WhyteMan]

0:40 That drawing had me cracking TF up harder than I would like to admit!!! Just the look on both of their faces, her hair all disheveled looking completely exhausted. The baby is already working on his intimidating glare with prominent cheek bones straight out of the womb, just hilarious! 😂😂😂

[@-mv]

Absolutely impressive human. A great inspiration to everyone! Not afraid to give it his all, and was humbled enough to accept defeat despite being unaware of the rule change. He had the mental fortitude to not even complain, and instead kept his composure.

[@-mv]

@@9volt65 The video didn't list these things. We are all going off of the video. Why on gods earth would I feel the need to research this man and his views about Ukraine? This is entertainment.

[@chmleon]

@@9volt65 why do you have to be weird?

[@AL-lh2ht]

And then thhe story ends with his support of killing Ukrainians.

[@ningnong1931]

@@9volt65 blah blah blah russia bad wojak

[@clamum9648]

@@chmleon Surprised the avatar pic isn't a Ukraine flag

[@jonpopelka]

No joke; your illustrations have the same unique charm as some of the greatest comic artists ever (Sam O’Nella as well.) I feel confident that legends like Watterson, Schulz, and Kelly would chuckle at em. They’re very much your own style, and it’s a fckin pleasure to see them every single video you release

[@jakeking974]

Fun fact, Dolph Lundgren has a master's degree in chemical engineering that he got AFTER being European Champion of a karate tournament.

[@KoreanRambo]

Karelin is a legend amongst legends to combat sports athletes. Big props to you for using your platform to highlight a somewhat forgotten figure amongst fighters.

[@ma5hr0om64]

Great video! I absolutely love Karelin and have idolized him for many years. However, I've found there is a great lack of detailed videos out there about him and his career. Really enjoyed your short bio of him and the info/highlights of his life. Cheers!

[@daBEAGLE1017]

I wrestled 1 year in high school. There were 24 lights on the ceiling in our gym.

[@turperper]

Thanks for sharing.

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

You still need to do a Last Moments video on "the Grizzly man" I'm not going to give up on this, funny Irishman.

[@nedisahonkey]

One of the best Herzog documentaries. He had a good heart but was also a delusional narcissist with some serious mental demons. Its just sad he roped his girlfriend into his tragedy.

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

@Ned Mononymous agreed - it's a twisted story. Perfect for this channel, though. As long as Herzog doesn't mind 😉

[@runlarryrun77]

@@nedisahonkey I'm not sure about him having a good heart.

[@pfg_pedals]

What a great video. Love the variety in the TFTB series. Nice to have a feel-good story every now and then.

[@janofb]

Can we all just pause for a moment and appreciate the fantastic drawings in this video. I couldn't stop laughing.

[@jessemanson5775]

Volleyball 😂

[@bootblacking]

The mother killed me

[@Yuki_Ika7]

Better drawings than I can do

[@whyjnot420]

That is certainly a win:loss ratio to be proud of. That in itself would be a great accomplishment. Add in his intellectual achievements and he really is something. All in a package which seems to be at least somewhat gracious based on his actions after his last match. Exceptional as an athlete, quite smart and not an asshole... It is easy to see why people would look up to him.

[@m118lr]

“Considered TO BE..ONE OF the best Greco-Roman wrestlers in history”!? Uhhh, I BEG to differ…THE Best.

[@terokoskinen3036]

Definately THE best. And so much THE best that there is no second best, the others start at 3rd.

[@chrisbutler1668]

In Russia, the suplex is the final exam to earn a PhD.

[@grebulocities8225]

In post-Soviet Russia, the PhD earned him!

[@staceynewby7504]

What a gigachad I always get excited when I see a new upload from this channel.

[@Biosquid239]

What a legend, unreal how someone can dominate a sport to that degree at a professional level

[@tobin1677]

I was only 7 years old when the 2000 Olympics happened, so there is very little I remember of that time, but I do remember watching that match, and in some ways I believe it led to me wrestling in my school years. What an absolute legend that man was, and what a story of David vs. Goliath was Rulon Gardner coming out of that.

[@patrik2106]

Damn i remember watching you when you had 5k subs gj man

[@Frosty_tha_Snowman]

​@YeaMan definitely a bot

[@josefstalin4418]

"Making him, perhaps, the world's most terrifying intellectual" Nuclear physicists: You sure about that?

[@itsjjbones]

The art for all his studies was awesome

[@wrthrash]

What a man, so few dominating characters around these days.

[@lucas10armond]

And if you ask him which one hurt the most, he'll say it was the ballet

[@DeXyfero]

I am not kidding, these videos feel like they go for longer than they do. I have watched two in about 20 minutes, each feeling like their own twenty minutes. I am now going on to watch a third. Good work mate!

[@ScottLovenberg]

Some humans are simply built different. And they all look up to this guy while I look up to the people looking up to them. I can't quantify how many orders of magnitude more advanced and talented these absolute specimens are to me. And I'm not so hard myself. But the number of lifetimes I'd need to be operating at their level is depressing and awe inspiring.

[@k.hogan-emmons3290]

I agree but my only question is how hard have you tried some people are genetically gifted but a lot of there prowess is gained by practice and a mind set

[@nedisahonkey]

​@@k.hogan-emmons3290 Honestly the genetic lottery plays an outsized role, especially at the top level. No ammount of hard work will put the average person anywhere near to this guy.

[@ScottLovenberg]

@@k.hogan-emmons3290 I happen to be in a unique position to answer this question. In my 20s I didn't go on more than a handful of dates, could count the number of beers I drank on one hand Ave averaged about four hours of sleep per night. The reason I lived this way was in order to see how far and fast I could push myself from college dropout to a defined goal. I had a set of criteria and deadlines I had to have said things done by. Otherwise I had a pact with myself that I was going to take my rifle out of the closet and delete myself. Would I do it? I wasn't going to put myself in the position to find out. For the better part of a decade I spent every day as efficiently as possible working, learning, practicing and every moment in between exercising and keeping my physical fitness at least maintained. I was at my peak for years where there were tens of minutes per day where I wasn't working on a thing while listening to educational material on the next topic or exercising while learning. I was obsessive and didn't miss my deadlines or goals. Hear me when I say this - I've got nothing on this guy. Nothing. Despite being gifted and driven. He was accomplishing more in a year that I will ever accomplish and he was doing it for over a decade at peak against the best in the world. Echo were both in a year he could probably remember. While earning multiple advanced degrees. My highest undergrad class was 500 level graduate artificial intelligence class that my advisor allowed me to take since I had maxed out or tested out of all the undergrad comp sci classes as a sophomore. That was one grad class + 4 undergrad classes in the 400 level + internship + physical regiment. But not even close to a full grad semester while maintaining a flawless Olympian elite career. Flawless. I know I pushed to my redline and wasn't in the same league on my best day as that guy on his worst day. It's humbling. And motivating.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@nedisahonkey except there is other things in life then one type of wrestling.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@ScottLovenberg Chill this dude now works for a evil government that is activily commiting genocide. That automatically makes you better then him.

[@SaltpeterTaffy]

That drawing of Karelin's mother struggling to hold him as a newborn is my favorite thing you've ever drawn. The fun you had researching this really shows in the illustrations.

[@blackbeardgamer5909]

Wow never heard of this man but what a legend! Great video!

[@tommyb261]

American media has never once talked about how great he is. Tell me if im wrong.

[@kutter_ttl6786]

Time magazine published an article on him back on 11 Sept 2000, written by John Greenwald. It spoke very highly of him.

[@FelipeJaquez]

Greeco-Roman Wrestling isn't exactly a well known sport in the United States. This is like an Australian man getting mad people don't know famous cricket players. It's a regional thing.

[@tommyb261]

@@kutter_ttl6786 well done! Thank you btw

[@tommyb261]

@@FelipeJaquez That is very true! I wasn't mad, only fascinated!

[@Kwauhn.]

You've been getting good at finding interesting stories that aren't already internet famous / common AskReddit answers. Great video as always!

[@burningbarnavit]

That's how you do it: classy and badassy. Then prove everyone's an arse by getting a PhD.. in kicking your arse.

[@gk4204]

A true champion. What a wise beast. Thank you for the great doodles.

[@Esajas11]

YOOO, hearing the amount victories and losses made me instantly realize that THIS is the guy who Alexander Gallen from Baki is based off of.

[@rebel6301]

probably one of the best humans that will ever live tbh, i dont know how on earth we could birth a man of higher quality than him

[@Iceboy1309]

Best channel on KZbin almost at 1 million subscribers

[@UntamedStrange]

What a person. Well done. Will not forget this person. Just learned one of my moms cousins competed in the olympics in Greco Roman wrestling. Beautifully timed video for me!

[@devistatingtd2657]

The "never mess with the tax man" killed me

[@bsdpowa]

doesn't matter how many videos I've seen on Karelin, I'm always impressed learning of his greatness

[@bigron8346]

He was a badass.

[@xNecromancerxxx]

I don’t care what anybody says, this is the best channel on KZbin! This fella knows how to tell stories, no matter the story, he can keep me interested throughout to the end, like an Irish Quentin Tarantino…

[@revejmal]

First I heard of him and his nearly undefeated record was when he and Rolan Gardner went at it in the Olympics like David and Goliath.

[@93MANIAC]

Speaking of awesome Olympic athletes from the Soviet Union I really hope that you can make a video about Shavarsh Karapetyan seriously the dude is one of the closest examples that we have to a real life superhero

[@quote1388]

Just imagine being confident on your size just to get thrown around like a rag by this absolute unit of a man

[@abbiekennedy2861]

That’s crazy, what a guy!

[@M4CH1N3_M4N_]

"The Society that separates it's scholars from it's warriors will have it's thinking done by cowards and it's fighting by fools." -Thucydides.

[@tinmann7187]

Rulon is a hell of a story too. Man has clubs for hands.

[@douggaudiosi14]

U forgot to mention his right pectoral muscle is only operating at 75% efficiency after he absolutely demolished it and ripped it

[@griffitgaming8280]

OMG! New video, quite epic!

[@barnacleboi2595]

What a physical and intellectual unit of a man.

[@suzieb8366]

Amazing, I wonder what his main motivations were! I'd love to get to know his psyche.

[@MattH-wg7ou]

What an absolute intimidating monster of a machine! Full respect!

[@douggiles7647]

Great video like always! And damn that guy is a behemoth, an absolute powerhouse of both body and mind!! It would be nice if he could knock some sense into Putin with that PhD of his 😆 It was also impressive as hell when he just rolled back and started walking on his shoulders, that's gotta take some serious control &balance as well as decent pain tolerance if doing it on a hard surface

[@0parko9]

While the thought of him knocking some sense into Putin is a good one, he unfortunality seems to support him. "In 2017, he entered the PutinTeam, a social movement aimed at promoting Vladimir Putin's policies." From wikipedia.

[@MichaTheLight]

You may should leave the western slander machine and see the current Russian administration for what it really is. A competent administration which follows geopolitical necessities or do you really believe the Russian let extort themselves by Washington? Not every country likes to be blessed with plutocracy ähm I mean "democracy" 😁 Or would you find it great if China would position Mexico against the USA with the goal of "regime" change.

[@TheMusicalFruit]

Finally an answer to what happens when an irresistible force meets and immovable chonker.

[@_Its_Ya_Boy]

YOOOOOOOOOO As a weight lifter, my community thanks you!

[@liamdoes8580]

He's the goat of wrestling imo. He's the best ever. A freak of nature

[@jahyeet1137]

Finally karelin is getting the recognition he deserves this guy was a fucking beast who ruled the heavyweight class his entire career I feel like wrestling is one of those sports that only propel who actually wrestle watch a dm know about but this guy needs to be known more because he genuinely just deserves it for all of that absolutely brutal training that he did to get to that point

[@MaverickBlue42]

Aleksandr vs the Governator, no holds barred cage match, you know you want it

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

A true hero. Anyone who can do everything that he did and retire with such grace, then go on to serve his nation (I get the feeling that he did/does this with more honour than most others, especially if he's maintained his gracious and truly sporting behaviour), deserves a ton of respect. I do hope that he's not been turned into a Putin apologist - he gives the impression that he wouldn't be afraid to tell him no. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but after a truly sporting career, anything less would be more than a disappointment.

[@clray123]

He is very much Putin's puppet. You can read up about his involvement in Russian politics.

[@Chainchomp432]

Speaking at today’s session of the Federation Council, International Affairs Committee member Alexander Karelin condemned the “inhumanity of the Kyiv authorities” and complained that the Ukrainian government has now twice spoiled Russia’s Winter Olympics glory, first in Sochi in 2014 and now again in Beijing.

[@pyrus2814]

Just because someone is on the other side of a conflict doesn't mean they're evil.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

​@@satorarepo744 A former Russian sportsman complaining that Russian sportsmen are unfairly boycotted while no other westerners have faced the same treatment when their countries commited invasions does not make him evil.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

@@satorarepo744 Lmao, is your plan to kill me with cringe? Grow up.

[@mikoro88]

What a goddamn legend! And a winning attitude in _every_ possible way! Hats off to him.

[@henriquesalvatti544]

"Russian Senator Armstrong"

[@danieldubrovin8813]

I COULD RIP THE PRESIDENT IN HALF WITH MY BEAR HANDS

[@t.dmattocks6119]

That's quite the insult.

[@DrThickNeck]

Fun fact: Karelin actually wrestled Gardner twice. In the 1997 world championships, Karelin threw him onto his head 3 times and won that semifinal match. In the documentary “Rulon”, Gardner said “I broke two vertebrae in that match because of the power that he had.” He also said in one of those times, his feet hit his head when he got thrown.

[@SWISS-1337]

6:34 had me in stitches. In Russia as well, I'm pretty sure it's not only not illegal, but also probably policy, to bash criminals about before destroying them in the courts. So can you imagine him coming in regards to your tax evasion?

[@maryanchabursky9148]

He was probably as corrupt as any other cop in ruSSia

[@pepperachu]

Hey Qxir you definitely fulfill a unique spot on KZbin. I enjoy your videos and thank you.

[@canadaw.e6461]

i would love to see a Tales from the bottle about the Anti bear Suits, and the man who made them!

[@johntaylor-lo8qx]

Should have never have lost that last match. Too bad, his ego couldn't take the loss. This man is a gr8 warrior!! This story is incredible!! Bravo 👏 Bravo 👏. Def a hero across the world.

[@demolisherman1763]

Guys like him are almost certainly where myths like Heracles come from

[@wil7448]

I really loved this video. I grew up a couple miles away from where Rulon Gardner did and his his Mom was my 5th grade teacher. Growing up here the Karelin-Gardner match was shown in school and Rulon would stop by and help the coaches with the wrestling teams quite often.

[@megan00b8]

You know you're doing something well as an athlete when they nickname you "the experiment" and there are conspiracy theories about you being genetically engineered. This man is a humble genius with the power of an absolute beast, what a legend.

[@kotzpenner]

The real life Gigachad. Reminds me of Plato who was also a wrestler and probably ripped af and also a high tier philosopher. His name was actually his stage name lol.

[@Ekis_bokis_siris_ekis]

Hes basically russian Senator armstrong.

[@steelhead750]

This is what peak performance looks like.

[@thenew4559]

He became the inspiration for the soviet wrestler "Alexander Gallen" in the martial arts manga Grappler Baki.