The armless archer aiming for gold – Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District

Matt Stutzman was born without arms and always wanted to be a professional athlete. He practised basketball for years but knew he wouldn’t make the NBA league. Then he found archery and his life changed forever. He won a silver medal at the 2012 London Paralympics and now he’s aiming for gold in Tokyo.

Matt Stutzman (USA)

Also known as the “Armless Archer” for his unique shooting style with his feet, Stutzman is one of the most well-known faces in Para archery. Most recently, the American was one of the athletes featured in Netflix’s ground-breaking Paralympic documentary ‘Rising Phoenix’. Sutzman won silver in the men’s individual compound at London 2012 but lost in the round of 16 at Rio 2016. He decided to take a break from the sport before returning with high hopes. Stutzman has taken part in multiple able-bodied competitions since Rio 2016 to improve his skills and took bronze at the 2019 Worlds after losing 144-142 in a close semifinal against teammate Ben Thompson.

Matt Stutzman.

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	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District acknowledges the Yorta Yorta People of the land which comprises the Goulburn Valley. We pay respect to tribal Elders, past, present and emerging and we celebrate their continuing culture and acknowledge the memory of their ancestors.
	The Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District is a peak body whose mission is to promote and represent the social, cultural and economic well-being of ethnic communities in the Goulburn Valley Region through the provision of quality and innovative settlement, refugee support, community development, and information and advocacy services.