After two shoot-offs, Stutzman caps off his career with the much-desired Paralympic gold.
Matt Stutzman was the Paralympic champion after years of trying. At the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Sunday, the well-known “Armless Archer” defeated top seed Ai Xinliang in the final after enduring two shoot-offs en route.
He was honest when he said, “Those were the best matches of my life in front of TV.”
“Yes, definitely. I’ve shot a few 150s at home. The greatest matches of my life, as you would say.
“There is no pressure at home for you. The greatest in the world is not what you get at home. At home, you don’t get an 8,000-person stadium full of people. Thus, it is without a doubt the best shot I have ever taken.
He displayed his best archery in front of his family and a sizable gathering. Every duel had significance, drama, and even symbolism.
“This is unquestionably a book story. And in a few days, I’ll have more time to think about it. However, it is. He remarked, “I don’t think I could script it any better.”
There is nothing lacking in the story he wrote.
In a replay of the London 2012 final, Matt began his campaign on Sunday by shooting against Jere Forsberg of Finland. The 41-year-old armless archer won this time. He aimed his arrow squarely toward the center of the target during a shoot-off.
The ‘Armless Archer’ was moving closer to the opportunity of a lifetime. In the semifinals, he faced China’s He Zihao after defeating Nathan MacQueen by a single point. It was time for another shoot-out. Ziaho shot nine, while Matt shot ten. He has already won his second medal at the Paralympics.
He adored the crowd, and the crowd loved him back.
He performed very flawlessly in the final, defeating leading opponent Ai Xinliang 149-148.
Matt declared, “I knew I was going to hit a ten when he shot his last arrow.” And he carried it out.
To secure the championship, he hit a 10.
“I simply am not sure.” Hey, you’re here now, said the small bird. Now is your chance.
You’ve been doing it for a very long time. Your family is present to observe. He celebrated in his own way, jumping, yelling, and sprinting across the stage as the audience applauded.
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He was almost out two hours prior, but he set up a shoot-off when his final arrow was upgraded from a nine to a ten.
He declared, “I never once considered winning a gold medal in the last four years.” Having fun and creating memories were the main goals.
Yes, it’s a rather good recollection. Taking in a sight of the medal hanging around his neck, Matt grinned. The family saw him rise to prominence, and Jackie Chan, a Hollywood star, called him “amazing.”
Every circumstance came together to make Matt’s final Paralympics unforgettable. What he wanted was memories.
“I really had to fight back the tears when I walked out for my first match because it was so wonderful to be able to perform in front of my family and have them cheer, knowing they would always have my back.”
“I didn’t want to increase the stress of having a medal.” I wanted to travel here to spend my final Games with my family and enjoy Paris. And my motivation to practice came from the recollections. “I wasn’t coming here to win a medal,” he asserted.
He gathered his favorite recollections. And a gold medal, which, when he stood on the podium and heard the national song, brought him to tears.
“I was amazed that I was there. The fact that having my family and making mental preparations worked out amazed me. And because Chinese archers were so strong, I couldn’t believe I defeated them.”
Matt concluded his career on Sunday. Although he erected a monument for himself, his influence goes far beyond the Paris award.
There are currently more armless archers competing in this sport. That would be my medal, so you could take away all of my other medals and I wouldn’t care,” Stutzman remarked.
“How many people are shooting here and experiencing the same emotions I did when I first started shooting, do you know?”
“Winning medals is not the main goal. It has to do with the reality that they are up against other people.
They’re triumphant. They’re experiencing happiness and enthusiasm.
China’s He Zihao and Ai Xinliang were awarded bronze and silver.
The W1 and compound mixed team elimination and medal matches are the next events of the Paris competition.