KATHMANDU: Soniya Bhatta on Wednesday became the first Nepali judoka to win a bout in the world championships.

Competing in the below-48kg weight category, Bhatta defeated Jennie Muneme in the first round bout of the World Junior Judo Championships in Morocco. She earned a Waza-ari Awasete Ippon decision over her opponent from Mozambique.

Bhatta faced defeat at the hands of Japanese judoka Aiko Watanabe in the second round. A total of 31 players competed in the weight category.

Another Nepali player, Manita Shrestha Pradhan lost to Vitoria Andrade of Brazil in the below-57kg weight category but she survived full time.