At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Team USA’s Matt Stutzman achieved an extraordinary victory by winning gold in the Para archery men’s individual compound open event. Stutzman set a new Paralympic record for the elimination rounds with a score of 149 points.
In a thrilling 5-end final, Matt Stutzman faced Ai Xinliang from China, the bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020. The match began with both archers scoring perfect 30 points in the first end, resulting in a tied score. Ai briefly led after the second end, but Stutzman regained momentum with a flawless third end, evening the score again.
The fourth end saw Stutzman take the lead as Ai faltered. By the fifth end, Matt Stutzman was ahead by one point. He maintained his lead, finishing with a record-breaking score of 149, compared to Ai’s 147. Ai secured silver while He Zihao, also from China, won bronze.
Stutzman’s remarkable performances throughout the Games included a perfect shot to advance past Finland’s Jere Forsberg and a thrilling semi-final victory over defending gold medallist He Zihao in a one-arrow shoot-off.
This gold medal marks a significant achievement for Matt Stutzman, coming twelve years after he won his first Paralympic medal—a silver at London 2012. Reflecting on his final Paralympic Games, Stutzman expressed his surprise and deep emotions, stating, “It hasn’t sunk in yet. I didn’t expect this medal, to be honest.”
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