Paralympic champion Matt Stutzman announced today 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. Stutzman, who retired after winning gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, is now setting his sights on the Olympic stage, where compound archery will make its debut.
Stutzman, born without arms, shoots with his feet and has inspired many with his achievements. His return is driven by the addition of compound archery to the Olympic program for LA28, which he sees as an unprecedented opportunity. "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."
The LA28 compound archery event will feature a mixed-team competition with one male and one female archer from each qualifying nation. Stutzman will compete for the men's position on the U.S. team through USA Archery's Olympic Trials. The campaign is one of the most ambitious crossover attempts in Olympic and Paralympic history, as Stutzman aims to compete in the Olympics four years after his Paralympic triumph.
Stutzman's journey began at the London 2012 Paralympics, where he won silver. He went on to compete in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 before capping his Paralympic career with gold in Paris. His return to competition will require him to face the world's best compound archers, including those in the U.S., and adapt to the unique challenges of mixed-team competition. With only 12 compound mixed teams expected at LA28, qualification will be extremely competitive.
Stutzman's decision is about more than personal achievement. "This is bigger than coming out of retirement," he said. "It is about challenging what people believe is possible. I want young athletes with disabilities to see that they do not have to accept someone else's definition of their limits." His story has already made him a global symbol of determination, and he hopes to inspire further change in perceptions of ability.
The LA28 archery competition will take place 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's road to LA28 will involve national and international competitions, intensive training, and support from commercial partners. As he prepares for this unprecedented challenge, Stutzman remains focused on the bigger picture: "This journey is about more than one athlete or one medal. It is about creating a moment that can change how the world looks at ability."
