Antalya 2026 is, staggeringly, their sixth international event in three months, and that does not include the time they have spent away from their hometowns at the various training camps they have attended between competitions.
The huge volume of arrows shot, hours trained and gym work undertaken over the winter is paying dividends for Türkiye, and their compound women team is a cog turning smoothly in the Turkish machine.
They have surged this season, winning gold at the European Grand Prix Spring Arrows, the 14th Conquest Cup, Shanghai [stage two] and now Antalya, meaning they have impressively secured back-to-back World Cup gold medals in the event.
Compared to last season, when they won only gold at the 2025 Spring Arrows and bronze in Shanghai 2025, 2026 already represents a marked improvement.
What’s more frightening for the rest of the field is that they look like they are having fun doing it. Even when they surrendered their lead to Andrea Maya Becerra Arizaga, Adriana Castillo and Dafne Quintero in the third end to leave the scores tied at 173-173 heading into the fourth, they appeared remarkably unfazed – at least on the surface – before putting all six of their final arrows into the 10-ring to secure a 233-231 victory.
A short break will be very welcome before the last stop on archery’s premier international circuit, Madrid, which takes place in just under a month’s time.
“I can say that we’ll have a little break,” chuckled Burun when asked how she will recuperate before stage four. “During this time, I want to give myself some time mentally, and of course I will continue training, but I need to relax mentally more, and I will do my best for that.”
Competition in Antalya continues with the compound individual finals this afternoon.
