The way Grande dispatched another great in Brady Ellison though on Friday’s quarterfinals [6-4] suggested he meant business this time in the Spanish capital.
The wind picked up at the Explanada Puente Del Rey compared to the calmer affair in the morning’s team finals but managing stage fright was the only thing that mattered to the Mexican.
“I think in all the scenarios, but I used to start shooting in them a little bit nervous, a little bit with anxiety. Today when I woke up, I said that it will be different.”
“I didn’t expect a result or a medal, I just wanted to be happy, to enjoy it. I managed it very well, I enjoyed it a lot, I shot with great archers so, I am very happy.”
“I’m still preparing for future competitions, World Championships in Korea, so I think I am going to do very well because I will keep training and pushing.”
The taste of victory is something Grande wants to savour in Madrid – now a place with special meaning – as he revealed he intends on celebrating by eating classic Spanish dish Jamón Ibérico.
Kang Chaeyoung might have similar plans following her pulsating shoot-off triumph against Chinese Taipei’s 17 year old Hsu Hsin-tzu in the recurve women’s gold medal match.
Both archers’ arrows in the sudden death format were on the periphery of the 10-ring. As the anticipation built, Chaeyoung’s result was confirmed after a close look and measure by the judge.
She’ll be aiming to take back the World Cup home at the final in Nanjing after winning archery’s premier international circuit in 2023.
The 2025 Hyundai Archery World Cup stages are now complete for another year, Madrid being the curtain closer as the fourth stage.
All eyes point to the Gwangju World Championships and of course Nanjing.
