Quick-witted in conversation yet calm with her bow, Kulsum Akter Moni embodies focus each time she draws an arrow. Hard to believe this is only her fourth international competition.

While others have faltered at the Teer 24th Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka, the young BKSP trainee has become Bangladesh's lone beacon of hope.

On Tuesday at the National Stadium, Kulsum advanced to the semifinals of the women's compound individual event, beating some of Asia's best. After receiving a bye in the opening round, she defeated Iran's Fatemeh Bagheri, then stunned India's top-ranked Deepshikha, and outshot Kazakhstan's Roxana Yunussova in the quarters. She now faces India's Prithika Pradeep in Thursday's semifinal -- two wins away from a potential historic gold.

A tenth-grader at BKSP, Kulsum began archery only in 2023, almost by accident. "I didn't even know what recurve or compound meant," she laughed. "Sir gave me a compound bow, and my first scores were awful."

Her persistence soon paid off. She claimed gold at the National Junior Championships last year, then represented Bangladesh in Bahrain, Singapore, and South Korea. Though yet to win an international medal, she remains hopeful: "Inshallah, I can achieve something this time. I just give my best and leave the rest to Allah."

Kulsum's rise is particularly significant as Bangladesh's women have traditionally excelled in recurve, not compound. Her success hints at a new chapter for the sport.

Behind her achievement lies a tale of resilience. Her father, Osman Goni, runs a small tea stall in Thakurgaon to support the family. Kulsum has two sisters and one brother, but none of them are involved in sports. She credits her family's constant support for helping her come this far.

From a modest stall in Thakurgaon to the Asian Championship semifinals, Kulsum's journey shows that dreams can thrive despite hardship -- and that Bangladesh's next archery star might just come from the humblest of beginnings.