Manita Shrestha Pradhan became the first Nepali woman to win a bout in the Asian Judo Championships securing a victory over hosts Hong Kong on Friday.

Pradhan, the 2016 South Asian Games silver medallist, defeated K Kwok with a wazarri point playing full four minutes in the U-57kg weight division, informed the Nepal Judo Association. Her victory also broke Nepal’s 29-year win drought in the regional meet.

The 17-year old Pradhan, however, was beaten by Mongolia’s S Dorjsuren, who first scored a wazarri and then knocked her out with an ippon. Although Pradhan failed to win a medal, she became only the second player to record victory in the Asian meet emulating Rishi Ram Pradhan. Nepal’s first win in the Asian meet came in 1988 when he defeated a Macau player in Damascus, Syria.

Nepal’s biggest success so far in the international judo was double victory for Ganga Bahadur Dangol during the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, South Korea. The Asian Championships, however, is seen as bigger platform.

Medal hopeful Phupu Lhyamu Khatri was out from her first game, losing to a Chinese opponent in Under 63kg division. The Chinese earned a wazarri and Khatri committing a foul to lose further point. The 2014 Rio Olympian Khatri is the 12th SA Games gold medallist and had trained in Europe under Olympic scholarships.

Nepal’s challenge in the Asian Championships has all but ended after four other players lost their opening round matches. Indra Shrestha (U-66kg) went down to Y Zromakanov of Kazakhstan, Kiran Gadel (U-60kg) lost to Y Park of North Korea and Sanjit Dangol (U-73kg) was beaten by M Rebahi of Qatar. Lila Adhikari succumbed to D Park of South Korea in the women’s U-52kg bout.

Mohan Sunuwar will compete against G Chow of Singapore on Saturday. A total of 242 players from 28 Asian countries are participating in the tournament.