Matt Hamill was born deaf, but never let that stop him from becoming one of the most inspirational athletes to step foot on a wrestling mat.
A native of Loveland, Ohio, Hamill was introduced to wrestling by his stepfather, John Rich, who was head wrestling coach at Loveland High School. Because he couldn’t hear coaching instructions, he learned to wrestle with hands-on demonstrations. By the time he graduated, he had set Loveland wrestling records in eight different categories, including career victories.
He went to Purdue University on a full scholarship but transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) after one year to take advantage of the strong support of deaf students. At RIT, he won three NCAA Division III wrestling titles at three different weight classes. He was the Division III Outstanding Wrestler in and A prolific pinner, he was a three-time All-American, a three-time New York State Champion, and a three-time RIT Invitational Champion. He was undefeated his senior year, and compiled an impressive overall career college record of , setting pinning records along the way.
Hamill was the National Deaf Athlete of the Year. In , the Rochester Press Radio Club
The Hammer, a movie based on the life of the first deaf NCAA Wrestling Champion and UFC Fighter Matt "The Hammer" Hamill, was released on DVD a few weeks ago. The DVD cover says, "the inspirational true story," and it was just that… whether or not you are interested in wrestling, sign language, or deaf culture, the movie is an inspirational story about overcoming challenges and working hard to make your dreams a reality. And if you are interested in sign language (of course you are, if you are on Signing Savvy!), you should check out this movie.
Watch the trailer:
Different, not Disabled.
The film takes us on Matt's journey from childhood to an adult, starting with a scene where his grandfather is in the room with an audiologist while Matt, as a toddler, is having his hearing tested. The grandfather says to the audiologist, "After a couple of flashing lights and a teddy bear, you're going to tell me my grandson is deaf and dumb?" The audiologist responds, "No… I'm going to tell you, you have a highly intelligent grandson who is profoundly deaf."
This heart-wrenching opening scene represents an all too common misconception of those who are deaf or hard of he
Early Life and Challenges
Born on October 5, , in Loveland, Ohio, Matthew Stanley Hamill, known as Matt Hamill, faced unique challenges from the start. Born deaf, he was raised by his grandparents after his mother felt overwhelmed by the prospect of raising a deaf child. Despite his hearing impairment, Hamill never let his disability define his capabilities.
Growing up, Hamill showed an early interest in wrestling, a sport that would lay the foundation for his future in mixed martial arts (MMA). He attended the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he pursued wrestling with fervor. At RIT, he became a three-time Division III National Champion in wrestling, demonstrating not only his physical prowess but also his unyielding determination.
Transition to MMA
After college, Hamill&#;s transition to MMA was a natural progression. His wrestling background provided a solid base for the sport, which combines various martial arts techniques. Hamill&#;s entry into the world of MMA was met with both curiosity and skepticism. Many wondered how his deafness would impact his performance in a sport where listening to coaches during fights is crucial.
However, Hamill turned his per
I was born deaf but went on to fight Michael Bisping and beat Jon Jones after illegal move – then a movie got made about me
Matt Hamill is often remembered as 'the guy who once beat Jon Jones,' but his story goes far beyond that single bout.
Born completely deaf, Hamill defied the odds to become a high school wrestling star before eventually transitioning into a professional MMA fighter and reaching the UFC.
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His journey is nothing short of remarkable.
“The number one thing I like about MMA is the challenge [to] prove everyone wrong,” Hamill once said.
“I can climb up the mountain and reach the top. But everyone thought I was like a gatekeeper. No.”
Hamill was awarded a victory over Jones in December , when the latter was disqualified for using a then-illegal elbow.
The pair met in The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweight Finale, 15 years ago, after Hamill had emerged victorious in six of his first eight UFC bouts, which included a split-decision defeat to Michael Bisping.
A elbow is an MMA strike where a fighter lifts their arm as high as possible and drives it from a 12 o’clock position to six o’clock position with maximum impact.
The ban on the move was l
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