Matt Stutzman

Matt Stutzman is an American Paralympic archer, motivational speaker, and pioneer in adaptive sport. Born without arms, Stutzman learned from a young age to adapt creatively, using his feet, legs, and shoulders for daily tasks and athletic pursuits. He developed a unique archery technique—holding the bow with his foot and releasing arrows using a device activated by his jaw—that would propel him onto the world stage in Para archery. 

Stutzman began competing internationally in 2011 and made a remarkable Paralympic debut at the 2012 London Games, where he won a silver medal in the men’s individual compound open event, establishing himself as one of the world’s top archers despite his unconventional style. 

After competing in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 without medaling, Stutzman achieved a career-defining breakthrough at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. At his fourth Paralympics, he captured the gold medal in the men’s individual compound open, becoming the first archer without arms to win Paralympic gold in archery history. Competing at the historic Esplanade des Invalides, Stutzman set a new Paralympic record with a score of 149 out of 150 in the final and defeated China’s Ai Xinliang 149–147 for the title. 

In addition to his Paralympic success, Stutzman has held the world record for the longest accurate shot in archery and garnered numerous awards, including being named World Archery’s Archer of the Year and winning the Best Male Summer Athlete at the 2025 Para Sport Awards—honors that reflect both his sporting excellence and his broader impact on the sport. 

Off the field, Stutzman is a sought-after motivational speaker and advocate, sharing his story of resilience, innovation, and the power of mindset with audiences around the world. Through his achievements and outreach, he has inspired a growing generation of adaptive athletes and helped expand opportunities and visibility for Para sport globally.