The Americano-Khmer athlete, Jessa Khan, won four gold medals at the SJJIF World Championship last weekend, a prestigious international jujitsu tournament. These titles add to a remarkable year, during which Jessa also claimed three world champion titles and the gold medal at the Asian Games in Indonesia. A champion's ambition.

Just hours after securing this quadruple victory at the SJJIF World in Long Beach, California, Jessa Khan is already thinking ahead. In her sights are the EBI and No-Gi Worlds tournaments in December. "I always stay focused on what I have to win," explains the jujitsu champion. "I still have many dreams and many titles to go after." At 17, Jessa Khan has undoubtedly dominated the international women’s jujitsu scene this year. At least, on her level. The blue belt, typically worn between the ages of 16 and 18, is her current rank. Her goal is to earn her black belt next year, with the minimum age set at 18, opening the doors to the most prestigious titles.  

(Jessa reaches the top of the podium at the World Championships last June. ©Instagram jessa.khan)

Unwavering motivation

Professional training takes time, especially at 17. Jessa’s daily life revolves entirely around jujitsu. It’s an essential part of her routine if she hopes to achieve everything she aspires to. "I train in California every day, 20 to 25 hours per week. I also teach this martial art to younger students. Jujitsu takes up a very significant part of my life. It’s very difficult to focus on anything else, but I stick with it," she says. Jessa follows correspondence courses to keep up with her studies, confident in her future. "I will make jujitsu my profession."

In 2010, when she started, Jessa viewed the martial art as a hobby. At the age of 9, she didn’t yet have a clear sense of her future path. Three years later, after participating in several junior competitions, jujitsu began to take on more significance in her life, and she increasingly focused on this sport, never to let it go again. It was her father, Peter Khan, born in Cambodia and later living in the United States, who introduced her to this combat sport. Jessa holds dual nationality, Khmer and American, which allowed her to participate in the Asian Games last August.  

(Jessa with her father, Peter Khan, to her right. ©Instagram jessa.khan)

Entering History

Jujitsu was included in the Asian Games program this year. Jessa had the opportunity to participate in this 18th edition, held in Indonesia. Not only did she compete, but she also won the competition, becoming the first-ever gold medalist in the history of jujitsu at the Asian Games in the under 49 kg category.

"It is an immense pride to have worn the Khmer jersey and represented my heritage. I am extremely grateful to Cambodia for giving me the chance to participate in these Asian Games. After the competition, I came to the kingdom to see my family and meet the supporters. What an incredible memory !" the champion exclaims.

At just 17 years old, Jessa has already made history in Cambodia and Asia. Her motivation, ambitions, and hard work may well take her to the peak of her craft, and she is doing everything she can to get there.  

(A contagious joy for the young Khmer woman after her victory at the Asian Games. ©Instagram jessa.khan)

  Thibault Bourru