‘Armless Archer’ Who Captured Paralympic Gold: Matt Stutzman Proves Anything is Possible

Archer Matt Stutzman, a prominent figure in the Paralympics despite being born without arms, won the gold medal in the men’s compound individual event at the Paris Games on Sunday, capping off his competitive career. 

Stutzman’s archery technique is distinctive: he uses his feet to steady the bow and draws arrows with his chin. During the final match, he fired 15 arrows, scoring 10 points with all but one. After securing his victory, Stutzman celebrated by tossing his hat with his expressive right foot, drawing enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

Stutzman, who secured a silver medal at the 2012 London Games but placed 9th in the subsequent two tournaments, developed his mental resilience by focusing on one arrow at a time and savoring each moment. This approach helped him build confidence and composure.

Reflecting on his achievements, Stutzman remarked that the fact a person without arms has won a gold medal illustrates that there are no limits to human potential. He added that excelling at something provides a sense of freedom. The emotional impact of his accomplishments was evident as he was moved to tears on the podium, surrounded by his family.