Just like the prodigal son, Paul Hamm has returned. Paul posted a video of his training in order to show us that his comeback is for real. Knowing Paul, he will likely be back on top and win the Winter Cup by five points in January. It isn't like the US has any world class AAers with form, style and difficulty on all six events.
I must admit, I used to live for the Hamms' website Making The Olympics. Despite their wet blanket personalities, I've always found myself rooting for Paul and Morgan. I even dug the air flair and fully supported them both making the Beijing Team. The boys have form and style.
Their website was quite the rage in 2007 when they were on the comeback trail Eventually, they stopped being so forthcoming with videos of their actual routines. They did manage to film and post their 'show of readiness' prior to the 2007 Nationals. Watching them both do floor and pommel horse is an absolute joy. Who even knew that people bothered practicing horse after the days of Peter Vidmar?!
Day 1
Day 2
Paul is at Lake Owen this week and according to one of my former gymnasts, showed a high bar routine with 4 releases.
ReplyDeleteI believe it. Paul has one of the best bodies for gymnastics. He is short enough to be a flipper, yet long and lean enough to be a good twister. He's also worked on his strength and will be formidable everywhere. He will certainly give Uchimura a challenge. Paul's biggest issue is that his body broke down right at the end in 2008. He also had some injuries in 2001 (and 2002?).
ReplyDeleteHis biggest issue will be managing the shoulder. He has plenty of strength and technique and competetive ability (both in practice and in games). They need to be all over managing that shoulder though. Him overtraining it before 2008 and also just recently are warning signs...
ReplyDeleteI love the retro Y scale, too...those guys are stuck in old gym...
ReplyDeleteI've read all the interviews on the net. Paul was actually planning on being at Nationals THIS SUMMER. (And based on that May tape, would have been just dandy.) The shoulder flareup made them back off.
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