Hanoi, Vietnam, May 16, 2022: The Chef de Mission of the Cambodia team at the 31st Southeast Asian Games, Vath Chamroeun, has issued a statement over the non-appearance of 2018 Asian Games jujitsu champion Jessa Khan in Hanoi.
Jessa was due to compete in the women’s 48kg jujitsu competition but failed the weigh-in and was not allowed to enter a higher weight division. The official statement said:
“The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and Mission Director regrets to inform that Jessa Khan will not be able to compete in the women’s jujitsu competition at the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“Jessa Khan was the flag-bearer of the Cambodia team during the opening ceremony of the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi.
“Jessa Khan, during the official weigh-in, was a mere 240gm above the weight category. Under the rules of the Ju-Jitsu International Federation and the technical rules of the SEA Games Sports Technical Handbook, she is not allowed to compete in the competition.
“NOCC made a formal appeal to the Organising Committee immediately after the weigh-in to instead allow her to compete in the higher weight category of 62kg. However, the appeal was denied.
“H.E. Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, President of the NOCC and the head of the Cambodia Sports Delegation to the 31st SEA Games, has expressed his sadness over the decision of the Organising Committee but respects the decision of the Organising Committee.
“Jessa Khan, who was the gold medalist at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, was considered a favourite to win the gold medal in the 31st SEA Games. However, Dr. Thong Khon humbly requests fellow Cambodians to be sympathetic and understanding to the news.
“Jessa is extremely disappointed with the outcome as she was ready to deliver the gold for Cambodia. Dr. Thong Khon further stresses that, regardless of the outcome, we must always support and encourage the athletes’ dream to continue bringing glory to the Kingdom of Cambodia."
The statement was dated May 14, 2022.