5-3 The Armless Archer

Matt Stutzman: I do kind of remember a story that they told me that I wanted to climb an apple tree and I remember I think it was dad told me if you climb up it you're going to have to climb down it by yourself.

So at that point in my life I realized that they weren't going to do and cater to every all my needs and that I was going to have to figure out a way to do things on my own.

My name is Matt Stutzman, I'm from Fairfield, Iowa, and I'm here to break the Guinness World Record for longest accurate shot.

I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I was born without any hands and I'm 28 years old. I got into archery to do some hunting and be able to talk to kids and show them that anything is possible.

Growing up without arms at first was a little difficult because I realized I didn't have arms and I might not be able to do some of the things that other kids got to do.

Right in the middle. Alright!

Jean Stutzman: Matt came with passion and drive.

Leon Stutzman: We would play baseball for you know hours with just throwing the ball back and forth to each other, imaginary ball. Just act out like I've got the ball and I'd throw it to him and he would act out and he would wind up and pitch that thing.

Jean Stutzman: Perfect follow through.

Leon Stutzman: Perfect follow through, all every time. And he just was had a natural instinct for athletics.

Matt Stutzman: The record that I'm to attempt today was set by an able-bodied person. Um, and they had a full capabilities of all their limbs and I'm going to do it with no arms and my feet.

Jean Stutzman: He talks about you know us not modifying the house. We didn't do that because outside of the house there's no modifications. He has to adapt.

Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, this is Matt Stutzman.

Matt Stutzman: Thank you guys. Alright, so today I'm going to attempt the Guinness World Record and I'm going to be shooting a standard FITA target which you see down there.

I really don't remember the development, I just remember it was always kind of there. I couldn't use my hands for anything so my feet just kind of naturally were my hands. So I would always you know pick stuff up and and you know eat and shave and do all that stuff with my feet.

Give me an arrow. Pick that one. Let me see it. Let me look at it just a second. Spin it.

I see myself as just an able-bodied person. I do have some challenges that come up. I decided that since they weren't going to grow back I was just going to you know go forward with everything and and not let anything in get in my way and stop me from my goals.

Leon Stutzman: We're both proud of him and that's why we're here to celebrate when he hits that target.

Jean Stutzman: This is just a special time just to see him attain a goal that that nobody would have ever expected him to do. He figured out a way, he always did.

Matt Stutzman: There it goes. Are they all clear?

I have lots of dreams. One of my dreams is going to be breaking the world record and that dream will come true today.

I'm confident because in all the practicing I've been doing I've been hitting my target on a regular basis. I'm really confident. It will be broken.

Man: Ready?

Man 2: Yeah.

Matt Stutzman: Yeah, I hit it! I heard it!

Woman: Thank you!

Matt Stutzman: It is as very much a state of mind because anything is possible if you just put your mind to it and a little bit of hard work and you'll get there.

Whoo! It's an honor to be asked to you know shoot for your country and represent the US and that's a good feeling.

The second I got the call that they were somewhat interested in sponsoring me I was very excited because what they were going to be able to do for me is allow me to travel and get to as many tournaments as possible along with being able to take care of my family. That was a huge blessing and I just I mean thank you very much to you know BP for helping me do that.

I'm I'm very proud of myself right now. I've just accomplished a goal that I had set and the fact that I did it with my disability um makes me even prouder. So.