Para Sport Awards 2025: Armless Archer Matt Stutzman named best male summer athlete
Two-time Paralympic medallist Matt Stutzman has been named the Best Male Athlete 17 Nov 2025
The “Armless Archer”, Matt Stutzman has been named the Best Male Summer Athlete in the 2025 Para Sport Awards for his performance and achievements between 1 May 2023 to 31 March 2025.
US athlete Stutzman began Para archery at age 28 and quickly rose to prominence, winning silver at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He made history as the first armless archer to win gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a near perfect score of 149 out of 150.
Stutzman also holds a world record for the longest accurate archery shot.
Beyond archery, he is a motivational speaker and is known to have inspired Indian Para archer Sheetal Devi, herself a world class athlete.
On winning the award, Stutzman said: “I am humbled to receive such an incredible award. When I first picked up a bow, I had no idea the incredible impact that sport would have on my life.
“The Paralympic Movement has opened doors I did not know even existed. Thank you to everyone at the IPC for your support and dedication to athletes around the world."
The 2025 PARA SPORT Awards celebrate those whose efforts have contributed to strengthening the impact of Para sports worldwide. In addition to awards for summer and winter sport athletes, there are categories for coaches and volunteers.
