Saima Salah Uddin: Bangladesh’s 14-year-old steps onto the Asian stage

At just 14, Saima Salah Uddin is preparing for her first Asian Games after a breakthrough 2026 season that has taken the young Bangladeshi recurve archer from domestic success to her first Archery World Cup appearance and now the continental stage.

Her progress began at the Teer 16th National Archery Championships in Dhaka in January, where she topped the recurve women’s qualification with 649 points out of 720.

She finished ahead of experienced competitors including Sima Aktar Shimu and Sonali Roy and earned the number-one seed for the elimination phase. She went on to reach the semifinals and take the bronze medal.

It was an early sign of the progress being made by the young archer.

Saima continued that progress in March at the CUTE International Women’s Day Archery Tournament in Dhaka. She scored 558 in the recurve women elite qualification round, finishing first on the same score as Roy.

She then carried that form into the elimination rounds and went on to win the title, defeating Shimu in the final.

The next step was considerably bigger.

In May, Saima was selected for Bangladesh’s recurve women’s team at the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Shanghai, competing alongside Shimu against a field featuring some of the world’s leading archers.

She recorded 593 points in qualification, which remains her 2026 season and career best.

Looking back on the experience, Saima says competing in China was the most memorable moment of her season so far.

“It was my first international tournament after competing in three national championships,” she said.

The experience also gave her an opportunity to observe the world’s best.

“Watching the world’s best athletes and medalists shoot, and observing their shooting styles and techniques, inspired me. It showed me the level of practice, focus and dedication I need to reach the top.”

Her international experience continued over the summer, when she joined Bangladesh’s under-18 women’s squad for the 2026 World Archery Asia President’s Challenge Cup and Joint Training Programme in Dhaka.

In the under-18 mixed team qualification, she and UAE’s Khalifa Musabeh Alkaabi scored 1293 points to earn the second seed.

At 14, Saima is one of the younger members of a Bangladesh team combining established international experience with a new generation of athletes.

The team also includes experienced recurve archer Shimu, who competed at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, while Saima is now preparing for her own first appearance at the continental multisport event.

Her next major opportunity has arrived at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where she will compete in the recurve women’s event as part of Bangladesh’s team. The archery competition is scheduled for 26 September to 3 October in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture.

“I feel very happy and proud to represent Bangladesh at such a prestigious Asian Games at just 14 years old,” she said.

For Saima, the Asian Games are another opportunity to learn and gain experience.

“I am looking forward to learning and gaining valuable experience from the Asian Games. I want to give my absolute best, improve my score and work towards winning a gold medal at the next Asian Games.”

Her ambitions extend well beyond Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

“My ultimate goal is to win an Olympic medal. No athlete from Bangladesh has ever won an Olympic medal, and I want to be the one to break that barrier. Through my success, I want to represent Bangladesh and make our nation proud on the world stage.”

Images courtesy of Bangladesh archery federation.