Bangladesh have secured an Asian Games medal after a 40-year wait, with Jinnat Akter guaranteeing at least a bronze medal in the women’s 52kg fight event in wushu at the ongoing Asian Games.

Jinnat booked her place in the semi-finals after her Indonesian quarter-final opponent, Tharisa D. Florentina, was disqualified for exceeding the weight limit. Jinnat had earlier received a bye in the preliminary round to advance to the quarter-finals.

Under the Asian Games rules, when more than eight athletes compete in an event, all four semi-finalists are guaranteed medals. With 16 competitors in the 52kg category, Jinnat’s place in the last four ensures Bangladesh at least a bronze medal.

The achievement ends Bangladesh’s 40-year wait for a medal in an individual event at the Asian Games.

The country’s previous individual medal came at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games, when boxer Mosharraf Hossain won bronze. Jinnat has now joined him as only the second Bangladeshi athlete to win an individual medal at Asia’s biggest multi-sport event.

Bangladesh Wushu Association general secretary Dildar Hossain Dilu confirmed the achievement, saying Jinnat will compete for gold if she wins her semi-final. Even a defeat in the last four will guarantee her a bronze medal.

“I am very happy that I have been able to do something for my country. I ask everyone to keep me in their prayers. I hope I can take wushu in Bangladesh even further,” Jinnat said after learning that she had secured an international medal for Bangladesh after four decades.