Matt Stutzman Remains On Target For Further Greatness In Para Archery

PARIS – It was a historical first as U.S Para Archery icon Matt Stutzman and Mexican Victor Sardina Viveros went arrow-to-arrow in Paris. It marked the first time that two armless archers competed head-to-head at a Paralympic Games.

Stutzman jumped out to a quick start, nailing five consecutive bullseyes and comfortably won his Round of 16 elimination match, 142-136. Both Para archers overcame tricky, rainy conditions, at the historic Invalides venue on Friday early evening.

“The future of the sport with armless archers is going to go well above and beyond what I started and for me, that’s my gold medal,” Stutzman said, after the victory. “No one imagined armless people competing with armed people in archery, so what happened today was amazing.

“I knew it was historic moment and of course I wanted to be on the winning end of it,” he added.

Stutzman notes that he and Sardina Viveros are two of four armless archers competing in the French capital. “Victor is going to be the future of the sport, of course I had to remind him that I am better than him right now,” Stutzman said, with a laugh.

Sardina Viveros, 29, is at his first Paralympics, having only taken up the sport of Para Archery in 2022.

Stutzman envisions that there could be as many as seven armless archers represented at the next Paralympic Games, in Los Angeles, in 2028.

Yet another highlight of Stutzman’s highly successful evening was a rendezvous with film and martial arts entertainment legend Jackie Chan. Both were enamored to be in the company of one another.

“I met Jackie Chan – he’s a hero of mine and I’ve watched all of his movies,” Stutzman said. “Apparently, he knew that and he wanted to come and watch me compete.

I walked in and he gave me a hug – I felt so star struck and didn’t know what to say.

“He picked up my bow and was like wow, this is so heavy and you hold this with your legs,” Stutzman noted, joking with the comic actor from Hong Kong that he has no other viable option.

Stutzman became a bright lights and screen star of his own, as his notoriety grew exponentially after he was prominently featured in the 2020 Paralympics-themed documentary 'Rising Phoenix.'

The 41-year-old Stutzman is competing at his fourth Paralympics this week in the French capital. The game-changing and well-known armless archer has indicated that these will most likely be his final Paralympics.

The Fairfield, Iowa, native is optimistic that he can fire enough accurate arrows to bring home his first Paralympics gold medal. Stutzman won a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, 12 years ago.

For his Paralympics swansong, Stutzman is accompanied by his partner Jessica and additinonal family members here. Their family together consists of five sons between the ages of 12 and 21.

“I was very emotional seeing my family – I tried not to cry,” Stutzman said. “Just being here, having my family watching me underneath this awesome venue with the Eiffel Tower – whatever happens from here on out, I’m happy and satisfied.

“This moment is special I don’t know how you really top today, other than winning a gold medal. I feel like there has been a gold medal in my heart already.”

Considering his fine form and relaxed demeanor in the opening match, no one is doubting the Para Archery veteran’s gold medal potential in Paris. However, Stutzman has been persevering through a right hip injury since 2022.

Evidence that Stutzman has remained in top form taking on considerably younger archers is his world title from Dubai, UAE, in 2022. For his success, World Archery named Stutzman as Male Para Archer of the Year for 2022.

Stutzman’s technique and deadly accuracy as an armless archer continues to astound fans and first-time observers. Competing without arms, Stutzman uses other parts of his body to fire arrows. First, he relies on his left foot to place the arrow while holding the bow with his right foot. Then he pulls the string of the bow back, using a contraption attached to his right shoulder. Finally, he moves his jaw to trigger the contraption and release the arrow. 

His ability to consistently hit the center of the target over a long and propserous, trail-blazing archery career spanning nearly 13 years is uncanny.

Stutzman overcame unforeseen and challenging equipment malfunctions during qualifications leading up to Friday’s match versus Sardina Viveros. Rather than seeing it as a concerning negative, he views it as a rosy, telltale sign, of what may lie ahead.

“Here’s the cool thing – I had issues with my release during the first part of qualifications and had to struggle through it until the half,” Stutzman said. “Then I fixed it, cleaned it up, got it all working good, and had a strong second half.

“I’m rolling again, the release is working good and I’m confident  – ironically, the last time my release broke was in 2022, where I went into the eliminations in last place, but then become a world champion, so I think I’m ok,” Stutzman said, with a smile.

Stutzman continues his quest for Paralympic gold and glory with a round of eight elimination match versus Jere Forsberg of Finland, on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the Invalides venue.