“The Hammer” is a bio-pic about the struggles and perseverance that Hamill went through growing up. Born deaf to a fully hearing family, Matt learned how to read lips and vocalize, as well as learning American Sign Language. His family helped in making his decision to attend RIT. At RIT he had trouble fitting into the deaf community. Then he found a way to get his frustrations out with a pair of gloves and a large mat- wrestling.
Hamill went on to win three NCAA Division III National Championships, the RIT Invitational Championship, and took home a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 2001 Summer Deaflympics. He has been competing as a UFC fighter since 2005, recently retiring in August after losing his last two fights.
“The Hammer” is now playing at the Little Theatres in Rochester, NY and multiple other independent movie theatres throughout the country.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at RIT chapter.
Matt Hamill is the first deaf wrestler to ever win a National Collegiate Championship. He is a graduate of RIT with a degree in electromechanical technology. He is a UFC cage fighter who has fought against prominent wrestlers such as Tito Ortiz and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. He recently had a movie made about him to share with the world his triumphant story.