Matt Stutzman becomes first Para athlete to be named archer of the year
Matt Stutzman won his maiden gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games before announcing his retirement from the sport 30 Jan 2025
Matt Stutzman has become the first Para athlete to be named athlete of the year by World Archery, capping an incredible year that saw him capture his maiden gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Stutzman, also known as the Armless Archer, claimed a silver medal on his Paralympic debut at London 2012 and topped the podium in the men’s individual compound open at Paris 2024.
He announced his retirement from the sport in late December.
“When I was a little kid, I wanted to be the best in the world at something. I just didn’t know what that was,” the Team USA athlete said in a video message. “I just found out that I was selected as the best overall archer of the year, which blows my mind because we are talking about the best in the world, like the best.
“To be considered the top with those guys (Mike Schloesser and Brady Ellison) is a complete honour. I can’t believe it.”
Celebrating success
Stutzman was also named male Para athlete of the year for the second time. Oznur Cure was selected as the female Para athlete of 2024.
Three years after finishing with a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, the Turkish athlete broke the women’s compound open world record before winning gold in Paris.
“I am here to share this fantastic news with you as it fills me with such excitement. The World Archery Federation Para-Women’s Athlete of the Year award is a source of great pride and joy for me,” she said.
“The year of 2024 was full of beautiful memories. I am so happy that I was able to win the gold medal, which I missed by one point in 2021 (in Tokyo).”
Shooting to stardom
Stutzman, who is also known for his appearance in the Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary ‘Rising Phoenix,’ took up Para archery ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He said that by taking up the sport, he wanted to prove that nothing is impossible.
He went on to win silver at London 2012, which changed his life.
“In London, I had no expectations, just go and enjoy the entire moment of what I was doing. It was a lottery-winning moment for me,” he said before the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“I went from no job to London, coming home from London, and the whole town threw a parade for me, and then I had job offers like crazy. They didn’t see me as a person with a physical disability, but as a person that could do anything.”
A fairytale ending in Paris
He had a perfect ending to his iconic Paralympic career at the stunning Esplanade des Invalides. After qualifying in 19th place, he pulled off a shoot-off win in the quarter-finals over Finland’s Jere Forsberg, who beat him in the London 2012 final.
He picked up the momentum from there, winning another tiebreak in the semifinals before beating Ai Xinliang of China 149-147.
Stutzman said it was also a dream come true to see other archers without arms taking the spotlight in Paris. India’s Sheetal Devi, who was born without arms and competes using her feet, took bronze in the mixed team compound open event.
“As a look back on the last 14 years on my archery career, I’m happy, sad, blessed, and speechless,” Stutzman said in an Instagram post in December 2024.
“The opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve met, the years of work it took, the amount of time away from my family, the sacrifices, the amount of arrows I’ve shot, the lows and the highs, the losses and the wins. Influencing the next generation to pursue their dreams while I chase mine.
“Archery has given me the world, and now it’s time for the next chapter of my life. As I retire from Team USA, cheers to what’s next. Thanks to all the sponsors, family, and friends. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
