KATHMANDU: Nepali boxer Lalita Maharjan made a winning start in the Asian Women Elite Boxing Championship in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on Thursday.

Maharjan defeated Leona Hui Xin Yee of Singapore in the first round bout of 48kg weight category.

Other two boxers, Bimala Shrestha and Sangita Sunar faced defeats in the first round.

Shrestha went down to Chinese boxer Piaopiao Liu in 54kg weight category, while Sunar lost to Sri Lankan opponent Sulanjani Lankapurayalage in the 60kg section.

Poonam Rawal earned a bye in first round in 64kg weight category and she will play against Thailand boxer in Friday’s quarter-final bout.