Marissa Hafezan put aside the challenge of two shoulder dislocations and an operation just a few months ago to take gold in Bangkok. Photo: SNOC/ Kong Chong Yew
The 33rd SEA Games in Thailand was not supposed to be on the cards for karate exponent Marissa Hafezan.
After two shoulder dislocations this year, followed by surgery in July, she was meant to close out the season with rest and recovery.
But the 19-year-old had other plans: make a bold run for an unlikely, yet significant goal.
She did all that on Dec 12, defeating Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Dieu Ly in the women’s kumite under-55kg final to take gold.
It is Singapore’s first karate title at the SEA Games in more than three decades. The last title came courtesy of Neo Ah Suan at the 1993 edition in the kumite 60kg and above category, when the biennial event was held in Singapore.
“It was very hard at first, because I didn’t want to go for the operation,” said Marissa, recalling the decision to go under the knife in late July after shoulder dislocations in April and June.
“But my doctor gave me 99-1 odds. If I didn't do it, 99 per cent it will go back out (again). I had maybe three weeks where I really didn’t move my arm. I don’t think I’ve ever felt pain like that. It was really mental.”
Doctors gave her at least six months before she would be back on the mat. But recovery went better than expected, paving the way for her gutsy showing in Bangkok.
Still, Marissa admits being filled with doubt about whether her newly repaired shoulder would hold out. By her own admission, she overthinks and stresses herself out, often unnecessarily.
So while her road to the final looked like a breeze, it felt anything but inside for her.
She earned her spot in the final with two one-sided bouts, beating Maryanne Jenelle Montalvo of the Philippines 7-0 in the quarter-finals before and a 8-0 win over Manyvanh Sysoubanthong of Laos in the semi-finals.
To take gold, she had to overcome some past demons, having been beaten by the same opponent from Vietnam before.
Said Marissa: “I came into the fight very confident of what I could do. I’ve analysed my opponents and I was prepared for it. Win or lose, I was just going to leave it all on the mat.
“When I saw that my score was up, I was just trying to keep calm, and tell myself that the match isn’t over. The gold medal isn’t yours, you have to stay focused.
“Today, I didn’t feel any pain, I was 100% in the game. I was just very focused on keeping my plan in action. Just going forward, being offensive, aggressive.”
The significance of this achievement would not be lost on keen karate watchers. The sport has not won a medal at the SEA Games since 2011, while a gold has taken 32 years.
Said Marissa: “It just makes me even more proud. I don’t know how to put it into words. I believe we’ve been progressing for the past few years, and this win will definitely put us on the map.”
But for now, before returning to France where she is based, Marissa’s place on the map will be back home in Singapore, digging into some of her favourite local fare.
“Mee goreng mamak. I love it with mutton.”
The 33rd SEA Games are held in Thailand from 9 to 20 December 2025. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.