Khan Jessa won gold in the women's under-52kg category at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games on Sunday. She defeated Filipina Meggie Ochoa in the final at Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Center (OCIC) in Phnom Penh.

After defeating Vietnam and Singapore, in the final, Jessa dominated the match. She secured a submission victory in the second round to claim the gold medal.

After the match, Jessa checked on her injured opponent, Ochoa, to make sure she was okay. Then, she ran to hug her father and congratulated the crowd on her victory. She waved the Cambodian flag around her shoulders as she celebrated, sending the crowd wild as she waved the flag.

Khan Jessa celebrates after winning a Filipina athlete in Phnom Penh, May 7, 2023. Kiripost/Siv Channa

Jessa, a Cambodian-American jiu-jitsu athlete, soaked up the moment, knowing that she had made her grandmother's nation proud.

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In 2019, Jessa defeated Jenna Kaila Napolis of the Philippines to win the gold medal in the ne-waza gi event. However, at the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Napolis got her revenge and won the gold medal, while Jessa had to settle for silver.

Jessa said "I really wanted to redeem myself for getting silver, so my goal today was to give my best. I knew that if I gave my best, I could get the gold, and that’s what happened today. I’m very glad that I was able to get at least one gold medal for Cambodia," Jessa said.

Khan Jessa during match against Filipina Meggie Ochoa at 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, May 7, 2023. Kiripost/Siv Channa

She expressed her gratitude to the people of Cambodia for their support, adding she knew that their support would only grow stronger when she won, and she is grateful for their encouragement.”I really appreciate it.”

She added, “I know they were very proud of me and happy that I won the gold medal.”

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Khan Jessa during match against Filipina Meggie Ochoa at 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, May 7, 2023. Kiripost/Siv Channa

Jessa said, “Whenever I sign up for a competition, my goal is obviously to win. But sometimes, especially in jiu-jitsu, things don't always go our way. It's important that we notice that, because if you lose, I know most people, especially me in the past, would be broken. But I try to use that as motivation to come back and win.”

Khan Jessa checks on her injured opponent Meggie Ochoa, to make sure she was okay. Kiripost/Siv Channa

seng.mengheng@kiripost.com