Fairfield’s own Matt Stutzman, known worldwide as “The Armless Archer,” has been honored with the Best Male Summer Sports category award at the Para Sport Awards 2025, capping a historic career that culminated with gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
USA Archery announced the prestigious recognition, celebrating Stutzman’s exceptional performance and achievements between May 1, 2023, and March 31, 2025—a period highlighted by his crowning achievement at the Paris Games.
Stutzman made history at the 2024 Paris Paralympics by winning the gold medal in the men’s individual compound archery event. In a stunning display of precision and skill, Stutzman delivered a nearly perfect performance in the final match against China’s Ai Xinliang, setting a new Paralympic record with a score of 149 out of 150 points. The remarkable achievement capped a Paralympic career that included a silver medal in 2012 and a bronze medal in 2020.
The Para Sport Awards recognize outstanding achievements by para-athletes across various disciplines. Being named Best Male Summer Sports athlete places Stutzman among the elite performers in Paralympic competition worldwide, acknowledging not just his gold medal performance but his consistent excellence throughout the award period.
Congratulations to Matt Stutzman on this well-deserved honor, his historic gold medal at the Paris Paralympics, and for representing Fairfield and Team USA with distinction throughout an extraordinary career.
