Both Ajay Scott and Parneet Kaur booked spots in their first Hyundai Archery World Cup final fours at Madrid 2025 – the fourth stage of the season – in the compound disciplines.
Great Britain’s Scott produced a career-best performance in the men’s event, defeating Berlin 2023 Hyundai World Archery Championships silver medallist Lukasz Przybylski 145-144 in the quarterfinals. India’s Kaur edged Paris 2024 Paralympic Champion Oznur Cure Girdi 142-141 in the women’s bracket.
Scott’s result is especially significant: it marks the first time a British male compound archer has reached a final four at a major international event since Adam Ravenscroft at the 2015 World Archery Championships in Copenhagen.
“It feels incredible,” said a delighted Scott, who dropped seven of his 15 arrows into the X-ring. “It’s definitely been a long time coming for Great Britain. I felt really strong all day, confident in my shots – so I’m really happy.”
“I think the men have been lagging behind slightly, so to have someone up there with Ella [Gibson, who also reached the compound women’s semifinals] is something to be proud of.”
Despite averaging 9.67 points per arrow against Przybylski in increased gusts of hot Spanish air, Scott credited his mindset – not his technique – for the breakthrough. He survived a shoot-off in the 1/8 round against men’s team match world record holder Choi Yonghee, his 10 landing closer to the centre than the Korean’s.
“I think it was my mindset,” he said. “I was going through my process the whole day, like positive reinforcement in my mind. That’s what the key was for me today.”
The same could be said for Kaur.
A 2023 Asian Champion, the Indian compounder had never medalled individually outside the continent and missed out on selection for the first three stages of this year’s World Cup circuit – in Florida, Shanghai and Antalya.
But this version of Kaur – competing in Madrid – is different from the one who’s featured inconsistently over the past two years.
Previously, she admitted to being “distracted” by the consequences of individual shots and overwhelmed by the scale of major international events. This time, she came armed with new tools – practices recommended by India’s sports psychologist.
Kaur was just two points off her personal best of 704 with 702 points in the 72-arrow qualification round on Tuesday and now stands two matches away from her first World Cup podium.
“For me, to make some three steps that I want to focus on during my shot,” said Kaur, describing her new mental routine. “And when I’m not shooting and sitting behind [the line], she told me to do a bit of calligraphy or draw something. That’s improved my focus pretty well.”
A medal in Madrid won’t be easy. Kaur faces reigning European Champion Gibson in the semifinal, with a potential final (or bronze final) against either Asian Games Champion – and teammate – Jyothi Surekha Vennam or Antalya runner-up Han Seungyeon.
Scott will shoot against Türkiye’s Emircan Haney, while world number one Mike Schloesser and Nicolas Girard face off in the other men’s semifinal.
As both Scott and Kaur sit lower in the World Cup rankings, they must win gold in Madrid to qualify for the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Nanjing later this year.
Competition in Madrid continues Friday with mixed team eliminations in the morning, followed by recurve eliminations in the afternoon.
Final fours: Madrid 2025
Full results on the event page.
Compound men
- Semifinal: Emircan Haney (Türkiye) versus Ajay Scott (Great Britain)
- Semifinal: Mike Schloesser (Netherlands) versus Nicolas Girard (France)
Compound women
- Semifinal: Jyothi Surekha Vennam (India) versus Han Seungyeon (Korea)
- Semifinal: Ella Gibson (Great Britain) versus Parneet Kaur (India)
Watch coverage from Madrid live with a subscription to archery+.
