Jessa Khan Takes Gold in no-GI Jiu-Jitsu

PHNOM PENH – Jiu-Jitsu fighter Jessa Khan won a gold medal in female’s Ne-Waza no-GI category, bouncing back from Thursday’s disappointment when she lost to the Philippines opponent.

In the no-GI under-52-kilograms competition, Jessa beat Vietnamese, Singaporean and Thai fighters, setting up a final round against the Philippines. 

In the fight for gold, Jessa fiercely grabbed her opponent, forcing the latter to quit the match. The Thai and Vietnamese fighters shared the bronze.

This is Jessa’s second medal in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games after she won a silver medal in Ne-Waza under-52-kilograms category on May 4.

She said she is very grateful for the support she received from Cambodia.

“My goal today was to give my best and I know that if I give my best, I could win,” she said.

The Cambodian-American-Mexican athlete added that she will soon travel to the U.S. to train for another tournament and the upcoming Asian Games that will be held in Hangzhou, China, from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

Jessa’s medal is not the only one Cambodian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners won today. Sor Sophanuth and Tin Sovanlina claimed silver in Mixed Show, after being defeated by the Thai team. In the same category, Vietnam and the Philippines took the bronze.

In Duo Mix, Kongmona Mithora and Heng Seavheng also came second, with Thailand winning and Vietnam and the Philippines on the third step of the podium.


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