Karam Gaber facts for kids
 Gaber (first from left) at the 2012 Summer Olympics |
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's Greco-Roman wrestling | ||
Representing  Egypt |
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Olympic Games
 |
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| Gold | 2004 Athens | 96 kg |
| Silver | 2012 London | 84 kg |
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 2002 Moscow | 96 kg |
| Silver | 2003 Créteil | 96 kg |
| Mediterranean Games | ||
| Gold | 2001 Tunis | 97 kg |
| Gold | 2005 Almería | 96 kg |
| Bronze | 1997 Bari | 97 kg |
Karam Ibrahim Gaber (Arabic: كرم ابراهيم جابر, born September 1, 1979) is a famous Egyptian wrestler. He is a master of Greco-Roman wrestling, a style where wrestlers can only use their upper bodies and arms to attack.
Gaber became a national hero in Egypt after winning an Olympic gold medal. He also won a silver medal at a different Olympic Games. Besides the Olympics, he has won medals at the World Championships and the Mediterranean Games, making him one of Egypt's most successful athletes.
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Olympic Success
Karam Gaber is best known for his amazing performances at the Olympic Games. He has won two Olympic medals for his country.
Gold in Athens 2004
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, Gaber had an incredible tournament. He competed in the 96 kg weight class. In the final match, he faced Ramaz Nozadze from Georgia. Gaber completely dominated the match, winning with a score of 12–1.
This victory earned him the gold medal. It was a huge moment for Egypt, as it was only the country's second gold medal ever in Greco-Roman wrestling. The first one was won many years before, at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Silver in London 2012
Eight years later, Gaber returned to the Olympics for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This time, he competed in the 84 kg weight class. He wrestled his way to the final match once again.
Although he did not win gold this time, he won the silver medal. This made him a two-time Olympic medalist, a very special achievement for any athlete.
A National Honor
Gaber's success made him a very respected figure in Egypt. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, he was chosen for a special honor. He was the flagbearer for the Egyptian team during the Opening Ceremony. This meant he got to lead all the athletes from his country into the stadium, holding the Egyptian flag high.
A New Challenge in MMA
In 2004, the same year he won his Olympic gold, Gaber tried a different sport. He competed in a mixed martial arts (MMA) match. MMA is a sport that combines different fighting styles, including wrestling.
He fought against Kazuyuki Fujita, a wrestler from Japan, at a big event called K-1 Dynamite!!. It was a new experience for Gaber, and he lost the match. After this one fight, he returned to his main sport, Greco-Roman wrestling.
Mixed Martial Arts Record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 1 match | 0 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By submission | 0 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Draws | 0 | |
| No contests | 0 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 0–1 |  Kazuyuki Fujita |
KO (punch) | K-1 PREMIUM 2004 Dynamite!! | 31 December 2004 | 1 | 1:07 | Osaka, Japan |
Later Career
Even as he got older, Karam Gaber continued to wrestle. In February 2024, he announced he would retire because of an injury. The injury stopped him from trying to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
However, he did not stay away from the sport for long. He began competing in championships for veteran wrestlers (older, experienced athletes). He won a gold medal in 2023 and a bronze medal in 2024 in these events. Today, Karam Gaber is also a certified professional wrestling coach, sharing his knowledge with new wrestlers.
See also
In Spanish: Karam Gaber para niños
