The same can be said for Kaur.
The 2023 Asian champion but individual medals outside of the continent have eluded the Indian in her four years in senior archery and her chances were not helped earlier in 2025 when she failed to make the India squad for Florida, Shanghai and Antalya.
This is a new Kaur though compared to the one that competed on archery’s premier international circuit the last 24 months.
In her own words, Kaur was formerly “distracted” by the “consequences” of shots and overall occasion of grandiose events like World Cups.
However, she has practiced advice from India’s psychologist taught to her before Madrid and it has evidently worked. She was just two points off [702] from her 72-arrow personal best [704] on Tuesday and is now two matches away from her maiden World Cup podium.
“For me to make some three steps that I want to focus on during my shot,” said Kaur when describing the psychologist’s tips and tricks. “Also, when I’m not shooting and sitting behind, she told me to do a bit of calligraphy or draw something. That’s improved my focus pretty well.”
It is a tall order for the Indian on Saturday should she medal. She is matched up against European victor Ella Gibson and is then to shoot against either Asian Games gold medallist – and teammate – Jyothi Surekha Vennam or Antalya runner up Han Seungyeon in the bronze or gold final.
Scott is competing against Türkiye’s Emircan Haney whilst Nicolas Girard and Mike Schloesser make up the other men’s semifinal.
Due to their ranking positions and as Madrid is the final stop of the 2025 circuit, Scott and Kaur must take gold on Saturday to reach the Nanjing World Cup Final.
Competition in Madrid continues with mixed team eliminations on Friday morning, followed by recurve eliminations in the late afternoon.
