It's that time once every four years when Americans pretend we know what curling is. But one thing we do know: the sport is even more fun to watch when "It's-a me, Mario!" is playing.
American curler Matt Hamilton definitely resembles the video game plumber Mario from Super Mario Brothers fame, and even his own team is proclaiming it.
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) February 12, 2018
It helps that the curling stone somewhat resembles a plunger.
Olympian who most could be confused with Mario: Matt Hamilton from the US Curling Team pic.twitter.com/BcJD1ue85U
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 12, 2018
Or a magic mushroom.
— FK__45™ (@Fk__45) February 12, 2018
Fans are ready to play along.
I’d play a game of Mario with Matt Hamilton as a playable character. Mario Curling wouldn’t even be fair https://t.co/xeUWTGnxjH
— Matt Varney (@MattVarneyRRS) February 12, 2018
Is it me or does USA Olympic Curler Matt Hamilton look like Mario? Every time he throws the stone he should yell ‘WAHOO’! pic.twitter.com/Gp7WpdcYG2
— Dubs (@MikeDubsRadio) February 12, 2018
How awesome would it be for @TeamShuster to all come out dressed like Super Mario for their opening game against Korea?
— Palmetto Curling Club 🥌 (@palmettocurling) February 12, 2018
Not his first games either...... pic.twitter.com/uYzROrw7ju
— GAINdolfThaSwole (@MDcoach21) February 12, 2018
He's also hilarious. Fans were singing mustache man during mixed doubles qualifying so he did the villain run his fingers through mustache move.
— John Murphy (@jturphymtg) February 12, 2018
A few fans saw other doppelgängers for Hamilton. Maybe Ron Swanson from "Parks and Recreation"...
Forget about Mario, he’s clearly Ron Swanson pic.twitter.com/bTbNCBoYM7
— Geoff George™ (@Geoff_George23) February 12, 2018
Andy Reid, coach of the Kansas City Chiefs...
Andy Reid is curling, y’all. pic.twitter.com/uynfxqoylO
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) February 11, 2018
— Cameron Schneider (@heyschneid) February 12, 2018
Taylor Lewan from the Tennessee Titans...
Taylor Lewan pic.twitter.com/2JvDhzZsKp
— Corey Ortiz (@Corey__Ortiz) February 12, 2018
Rod Farva from "Super Troopers"...
Or Farva..... pic.twitter.com/CPorinkqcA
— Erick Gunzenhauser (@egunzy) February 12, 2018
Or Chef Matty Matheson from Canada's show "Dead Set on Life."
#VICELANDFrance #DeadSetOnLife Matty Matheson is Hamilton's doppelganger from Canada!#mattymatheson#VICEonHBO#Vice pic.twitter.com/tVS1FDqWdV
— chRON.ron (@gendashwhy) February 12, 2018
Fortunately, Hamilton himself didn't seem bothered by the matchup.
It's a me Mario!!! Not Italian but we both have a nice red hat, a mustache, and a dinosaur for a pet!!!
— Matt Hamilton (@MattJamilton) February 12, 2018
I powered up and am ready for China today!! @heccabamilton and I had a great time at the opening ceremonies and we’re jacked to get back on the ice! #HamFam ready to rumble!? We’re not a 1-3 team and we prove it NOW! #TeamUSA #teamhamiltons #PyeongChang2018 #Curling pic.twitter.com/dDnliOHq8N
— Matt Hamilton (@MattJamilton) February 9, 2018
Well he isn’t Italian so....
— Sam (@The_SammyD) February 12, 2018
But I do like pizza
— Matt Hamilton (@MattJamilton) February 12, 2018
You can watch Matt "Super Mario 4 Life" Hamilton curl again on Feb. 14, when the U.S. takes on host country Korea. Here's his whole schedule, if you mustache.