Paralympic gold medalist Matt Stutzman is shifting his sights from the Paralympic Games to a bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The 43-year-old archer, who was born without any hands and won gold in Paris in 2024 with a Paralympic record score of 149 out of 150, announced his ambition to qualify for the Olympic squad in a new mixed compound event.
Stutzman’s journey from a childhood prognosis that predicted he would be unable to eat, wash, or brush his own teeth independently to international athletic dominance is well-documented. Yet, after reaching the summit of Paralympic success and retiring, the father of three has identified a new competitive frontier. Rather than qualifying for the Paralympics, he aims to secure a spot on the Olympic team for the upcoming 2028 Summer Games.
“The scores that I’m shooting are capable of winning, so why not give that a try,” Stutzman said in an interview with NBC Los Angeles.
The announcement comes as archery prepares to feature a new mixed compound event during the 2028 Games in Carson, where participating nations can field a team of one archer per gender.
Training and Mental Discipline for LA28
Stutzman has returned to the gym to refine his physical health and stamina ahead of the qualification cycle.
“I’m back in the gym, working out. I’m losing more weight. I’m trying to be even more healthy,” Stutzman explained to NBC Los Angeles. “But the main thing is the mindset. I’m focusing a lot on the mental aspect of the game. We get one shot.”
His family reacted with initial surprise when he outlined his plans for the Los Angeles Games, recognizing the immense difficulty of qualifying for an Olympic roster.
“I said, ‘Listen, guys. This is going to be a tough one. But if I can pull it off, we’ll all go to LA. But if not, at least know your dad did his best,’” Stutzman said.
The Qualification Road Ahead
Stutzman’s campaign offers a storyline as he seeks to bridge the gap between Paralympic excellence and Olympic qualification.
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