Paralympic champion Matt Stutzman, known worldwide as "The Armless Archer," has announced his return to competitive archery with a historic new goal: qualifying for the LA28 Olympic Games and becoming the first Paralympic Gold Medalist to win an Olympic Gold Medal in archery. The announcement comes after Stutzman retired from international para-archery following his gold-medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where he set a Paralympic record with a score of 149 out of 150 in the final.
Stutzman's decision to come out of retirement is driven by the inclusion of compound archery in the Olympic program for the first time at LA28. The event will feature a mixed-team competition, with one male and one female archer from each qualifying nation. Stutzman aims to secure the men's position on the U.S. team through the USA Archery Olympic Trials selection process.
"I thought winning gold in Paris was the perfect ending to my career," Stutzman said. "But when compound archery was added to the Olympic program for Los Angeles, I realized my story might not be finished. I have the opportunity to attempt something that has never been done before—and I have to take that shot."
Stutzman, born without arms, holds and fires his compound bow using his feet and a release mechanism near his shoulder. His innovative technique and remarkable accuracy have made him a standout in the sport. He made his Paralympic debut at London 2012, where he won silver, and went on to compete in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 before his gold in Paris. He was also the first Para athlete to be named World Archery's overall Archer of the Year.
This crossover attempt is one of the most ambitious in Olympic and Paralympic history. If successful, Stutzman would compete in the Olympic Games four years after his Paralympic triumph, with a chance to make history. The LA28 archery competition will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, with qualification for the compound mixed team scheduled for July 19, 2028, and medal rounds on July 21.
Stutzman acknowledges the immense difficulty of the challenge. Only 12 compound mixed teams are expected to compete, making qualification exceptionally selective. "I understand how difficult this will be," he said. "Nothing is guaranteed—not qualification, not selection and certainly not a medal. That is exactly why the challenge means so much to me."
His road to LA28 will involve intense training, national and international competition, and seeking commercial partners to support the unprecedented campaign. Stutzman emphasizes that this journey is about more than personal achievement. "This journey is about creating a moment that can change how the world looks at ability," he said. "I won my Paralympic Gold Medal. Now I am coming back to take aim at Olympic history."
