Occupation - Men's Gymnast, '04 men's all-around champion

Realization - '04 Men's Gymnastics Team Final

Admiration - '04 Men's All-Around competition

Often seen with - Twin brother, Morgan

Carries - I guess...a sports bag with his stuff in it. A shiny Olympics gold medal around his neck Oh! And money too, need that! ^_^

Wears - While in competition, that traditional tank top, shorts for vault and floor, pants for still rings, high bar, parallel bars, and pommel horse

Brought to life by - Teehee, himself!

 

Primarily, I was focused on the women's competition that would begin the next day, so I didn't pay much attention to Paul, besides knowing that he practically was the best on the men's team. Sure I thought he was good, but needless to say, I wasn't extremely impressed, however was glad the team qualified for the finals because of Paul's efforts.

 

 

After the U.S men's team claimed silver in the team competition, Paul started getting my attention. Yes, he screwed up on high bar the night of competition, but was able to hold himself together and pull through on the other apparatus'. However, it wasn't until the night of the men's all-around final that I would be totally enthralled in his performance.

 

 

Many know the story by now, but Paul pulled out one of the most memorable comebacks in sports history the night of the men's all-around final. After falling into twelfth place with an unfortunate landing on the vault, to sky-rocketing back to first in his sixth routine that was given the second highest score of the night to clinch gold. From the beginning of the competition, I began slowly getting more and more interested in him, then on pommel horse, I was captured with no chance for escape. Every move was flawless and sharpened to perfection, and his still rings...whoo boy, that got me excited! Then on vault when he fell, I screamed at the tv, crying out to Paul to keep going, and he did. When I saw him up there on the podium with a gold medal around his neck, I cried. I honestly did I was so happy for him!

 

Granted he has a twin brother, not quite identical, but Paul is my preferred of the two. For what reasons, I am about to explain...

 

1.) Paul just simply has a better body. ^_^ Yes, I'm a happy, hyper teenage girl that looooves her guys, but he definately has a nice structure if you look at him from an honest perspective, and not just mine.

 

2.) He proved he is the best male gymnast in the world after falling, but then coming back. That spells determination, folks.

 

3.) As silly as this sounds, Paul first caught my attention with his similarities to two other admirees of mine, long-time hero, Brandon Miller, and Avery Sheets. Combined, I'd say the result is quite satisfying! ^_^

 

4.) Paul is very honest and sincere, not cocky and abrupt like some athletes. He never takes anything for granted, is quite humble, and worked hard for everything he has earned in his career so far. Those are the kind of athletes I admire - the humble, but still cute ones.

 

5.) There is just something about that flare routine he does on pommel horse that gets me going every time I watch it. He is so phenomenal, so quick, and still so darn cute in the process, he simply amazes me with that routine! *rewinds* *grinz*

 

6.) He's from the Mid-West! Of course I gotta love him!

 

Floor Excercise - Pretty good, but I have seen better. Paul does manage to awe the crowd quite a lot with his trademark flare routine *drools* and amazing tumbling passes. All in all, a good apparatus for him.

 

Pommel Horse - By far, my favorite routine from him, just watching him twist and rotate all over that thing with sound-busting speed. He's simply incredible! And that flare!!! I think I've died and gone to heaven! What the heck is it about that technique that enthralls me to the very point where I am hugging the tv? The world may never know...A great routine for Paul!

 

Still Rings - Though he does lack some of the upper-body strength needed for this excercise, Paul does seem to have some strong points in it. For instance, he is great moving from one position to the other without having to swing much. Needless to say, when he's on this apparatus, I pay close attention, especially with all those biceps firing and...whoo! Someone turn on the a/c in here! A fair routine for Paul, and could be so much better if he builds his upper body strength a little more. Ayiyi! *dies*

 

Vault - Yes, he gets remarkable heigth and incredible spin with this apparatus, but as most gymnasts, that vault can be a death trap. Paul however has proved that he knows no fear against it, and has nailed several landings, bobbles every now and then, and yes, has even fallen, but despite all that, he is pretty good on it.

 

Parallel Bars - One of Paul's major strengths, he shows amazing poise when faced with this bruising terror. He just floats down onto the bars, has incredible balance, and does awesome dismounts that he almost always sticks without question. It was this excercise that vaulted him back near medal contention in the men's all-around final.

 

High Bar - His stage, his high point, his shining glory, the high bar is his best routine. He is solid on every release, every skill, and every dismount. Paul is undoubtedly perfect on this excercise, especially when it comes to those three big releases he does that have become famous, and each of them becomes progressively higher as the routine goes on. When it comes to high bar, Paul is practically unbeatable, and no one can tear away that knowledge from him if I can help it!

 

In his young and illustrious career so far, Paul has astounded audiences and judges alike in both national and international competition. Below are some of his best finishes in competition!

 

2004 Olympic Games - Gold medalist in men's individual all-around, silver medalist in individual high bar, and silver medalist in men's team final

 

2003 World Championships - Placed first in floor excercise, first in individual all-around, and second in team.

 

2002 U.S.A vs. World - Placed second in all-around and second in team.

 

2002 Pac Alliance Champs - Third on floor excercise, fourth on still rings, first on vault, second on high bar, and first in all-around

 

1999 International Team Champs - First in men's all around, and first in team final

 

2004 Nationals - First in all-around

 

2003 Nationals - Second on floor excercise, first on pommel horse, second on parallel bars, first on high bar, and first in the all-around.

 

Thanks to www.hammtwins.com for the info!

 

A small collection of my favorite Paul Hamm pictures, and a couple with his brother, Morgan. None of these belong to me though! They are brought to you by www.hammtwins.com, not me! So don't take 'em, please! Thanks, and enjoy!

 

Click the thumbnails to view the full-size image.

 

Though I have only encountered a couple, they're worth the quick trip over. And as you've noticed, most of my statistical info and pictures came from one of these internet treasures! Enjoy!