The USA archery team for the Paralympics is a blend of youth and experience, including four-time Paralympian Eric Bennett and 15-year-old debutant Jordan White. White is not the only archer making their Paralympic Games debut, with Tracy Otto and Jason Tabansky among the six-person team.
The additional experienced heads come in the form of Matt Stutzman – known as the Armless Archer - and K.J. Polish. Stutzman returns to the Paralympic Games for a fourth time, while Polish has competed on this stage on two previous occasions.
Bennett and White, separated by 35 years, will represent the United States in the recurve men open division. Otto and Tabansky will compete in the W1 category, going in the women’s, men’s and mixed team events, while Stutzman and Polish will push for a podium place in compound men open.
Athletes to Watch:
- K.J. Polish won team bronze alongside Matt Stutzman at the 2023 World Para Championships as well as double gold at last year’s Para Pan American Games in Chile. Ranked #3 in the world, Polish represented the USA at the previous two Paralympic Games, in Rio and Tokyo.
- Jason Tabansky is #3 in the world and this year claimed team and individual gold at the Pan American Para Championships to go with the individual silver he won at last year’s Para Pan American Games. This will be his first appearance at the Paralympic Games.
- Tracy Otto arrives in Paris as the women’s world #1 in the W1 division for her debut at the Paralympic Games, less than three years on from picking up a bow for the first time. She took gold at the 2023 Para Pan American Games which also secured a quota slot for the Paralympic Games.
- Eric Bennett is a two-time world champion and former world #1 who has held multiple world records. He won a team gold and individual silver at the 2023 Para Pan American Games. The high school teacher made his international debut in 2007 and has represented the USA at every Paralympic Games since.
For inquiries: Richard Fleming - rfleming@usarchery.org