Matthew Stutzman (born December 10, 1982) is an American archer.[3] He competed at the Paralympics in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024, winning a silver medal in London in 2012 and a gold medal in Paris in 2024. Born without arms, Stutzman uses his legs and feet for most of his activities, including archery.[4]
 Stutzman at the 2012 Summer Paralympics | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Stutzman |
| Born | December 10, 1982[1] Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
| Website | mattstutzman |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Para-archery |
| Event | Compound open |
| Coached by | Randi Smith[2] |
Early life
editStutzman was born in Kansas City, Kansas.[5] His birth parents put him up for adoption at 4 months old, and at 13 months old, he was adopted by Leon and Jean Stutzman.[6][7][8] He grew up in Iowa with seven siblings and was raised in the Mennonite faith.[8][9]
Stutzman was born without arms, although there is no underlying condition known to have caused this.[10]
Career
editStutzman began practicing archery at 28 years old in 2010.[10] In 2015, he broke the world record for the furthest accurate distance shot, which had been previously held by an able-bodied archer.[11][10]
His first Paralympic competition was in the 2012 Summer Paralympics, where he won silver.[10] Stutzman has won multiple medals in various years at the World Para Archery Championship.[10][12][13]
He went on to compete in the 2024 Summer Paralympics, defeating Ai Xinliang in a shoot-off and winning gold.[14][15] He mentored Sheetal Devi, who also competed in the 2024 Summer Paralympics.[10]
Stutzman stated that the 2024 Summer Paralympics may be his final Paralympic competition due to hip issues.[16]
Personal life
editStutzman lives in Fairfield, Iowa.[5] He is married and has three sons.[16][17]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | My Way to Olympia[18] | Himself | Documentary |
| 2020 | Rising Phoenix[19] | Himself | Documentary |
References
edit- ^ "Matt Stutzman". Rio2016.com. Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on December 3, 2016.
- ^ "Matt Stutzman". London 2012 Paralympics. London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012.
- ^ "Archery: STUTZMAN Matt". Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ "A Day in the Life: Matt Stutzman". YouTube. July 2, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ a b "biography". InspirationalArcher.com. December 10, 1982. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ "Matt Stutzman". www.teamusa.com. August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ "Matt Stutzman Speaking Fee, Schedule, Bio & Contact Details". Premiere Speakers Bureau: Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers, Motivational Speakers, and Celebrity Speakers. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Axon, Rachel (July 23, 2016). "Paralympic archer Matt Stutzman puts family first as he chases his dreams". USA TODAY. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ Review, Rachel Stella | Mennonite World (October 10, 2016). "Armless Archer inspires". Anabaptist World. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Guzman, Chad de (September 2, 2024). "What to Know About the Armless Archers Taking the Paralympics by Storm". TIME. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ "World Record Attempt: "Armless Archer" Matt Stutzman Looks to Make History". YouTube. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
- ^ Brennan, Eliott (February 25, 2022). "Stutzman and Andrievskaia secure first individual gold medals at World Archery Para Championships". InsideTheGames.biz. Inside the Games. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ ""World champ baby!" – Stutzman delivers in Dubai". World Archery. February 25, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
- ^ ""Iowan 'Armless Archer' Matt Stutzman wins gold medal for Team USA at Paris Paralympics"". September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
- ^ "Stutzman crowns his career with a longed-for Paralympics gold after two shoot-offs | World Archery". www.worldarchery.sport. September 1, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
- ^ a b "'Armless Archer' Stutzman and his disarming sense of humor". AP News. January 15, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ "Matt Stutzman balances archery and racing, with his feet". www.southeastiowaunion.com. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
- ^ My Way to Olympia film webpage
- ^ "Rising Phoenix review – A tear-jerking celebration of human achievement". Little White Lies. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
External links
edit
Media related to Matt Stutzman at Wikimedia Commons
- Matt Stutzman at the International Paralympic Committee
- Matt Stutzman at Team USA (archived)