In San Jose (Costa Rica), the XXXVIe Panams hold all their promises. For this edition, lots of karatekas win their first title. Kokumai won her 8th one.

By Florian Fournier

Photo : D.R.

-60kg : Villalon is the new champion

For the first time in his career, Villalon wins his first Panams title. Brose ranks 3rd, he lost 12-10 against Larrosa in semi.

Final : Villalon (Chi) b. Larrosa (Uru), 6-2

1. Villalon (Chi)
2. Larrosa (Uru)
3. Miri (Can) / Brose (Bra)

 

-67kg : Number 3 for Madera

The Venezuelan Andres Madera keeps his Panams title. This is his third title.

Final : Madera (Ven) b. Freire (Chi), 11-6

  1. Madera (Ven)
    Freire (Chi)
    3. Galvez (Pan) / Veloso (Chi)

-75kg : Rodriguez finds his place

In a Chilian fight, Matias Rodriguez takes the best over Gonzalez to bring a second Panams title after 2021.

Final : Rodriguez (Chi) b. Gonzalez (Chi), 4-4

1. Rodriguez (Chi)
2. Gonzalez (Chi)
3. Landazury (Col) / Ortuno (Ven)

 

-84kg :  Acevedo wins his first major title

For the first time in his career, Acevedo, from Ecuador, becomes Panams champion.

Final : Acevedo (Ecu) b. Merino (Sal), 1-1

1. Acevedo (Ecu)
2. Merino (Esa)
3. Henao (Col) / Valera (Col)

 

+ 84kg : Rojas takes back the title

At the Panamerican championships, the +84kg is the most disputed category. Like last year, the final opposed Brian Irr (reigning champion) to Rodrigo Rojas. This year, the Chilian takes his revenge and wins 4-3 in the final. Rojas is three times panams champion now.  

Final : Rojas (Chi) b. Irr (Usa), 4-3

1. Rojas (Chi)
2. Irr (Usa)
3. Lenis (Col) / Timmermans (Cur)

Kata : Torres Gutierrez once again !

In a 100% US match, Ariel Torres Gutierrez keeps his crown. The US n°1 upholds his rank, his 4th success in a row.

  1. Torres Gutierrez (Usa)
    Gozaki (Usa)
    3. Nunez (Crc) / Aracena (Rep.Dom)

 

Team Kumite

  1. Chile
    Usa
    3. Venezuela and Ecuador

Team Kata

  1. Peru
    Brazil
    3. Mexicoand Chile

Female

-50kg : The surprise Lahyanssa

The Venezuelan Salazar was favorite to win another title but the Venezuelian falled in semi-final against Cardenas and it is the Canadian Lahyanssa who wins the title.    

Final : Lahyanssa (Can) b. Cardenas (Col), 6-4

1. Lahyanssa (Can)
2. Cardenas (Col)
3. De Oliveira (Bra) / Salazar (Ven)

 

-55kg : Toro Meneses keeps her crown

The young Chilian Toro Meneses wins her second continental title and certainly not the last.  

Final : Toro Meneses (Chi) b. Furumoto (Can), 8-2

1. Toro Meneses (Chi)
2. Furumoto (Can)
3. Perez (Ven) / Pena Barco (Col)

 

-61kg: The title for Fernandes

She had notwon any competitions on the international scene. It’s done. The Brazilian Fernandes wins her first title.  

Final : Fernandes (Bra) b. Diaz Cano (Arg), 2-1

1. Fernandes (Bra)
2. Diaz Cano (Arg)
3. Grande (Per) and Factos (Ecu)

-68kg : Lingl Skylar on top

After 2021, Skylar Lingl wins her second Panams.

Final : Lingl (Usa) b. Mosquera (Col)), 8-3

1. Lingl (Usa)
2. Mosquera (Col)
3. Rodrigues (Bra) and Bratic (Can)

 

+ 68kg : Rodriguez (Dom) finally

After two 3rd place in 2017 and 2022, Rodriguez wins her 1st Panams title.

Final : Rodriguez (Dom) b. Echever (Ecu), 6-5

1. Rodriguez (Dom)
2. Echever (Ecu
3. Danguillecourt (Cub) and Torres (Col)

Kata : 8 for Kokumai

Sakura Kokumai wins her 8 Panams title, her third in a row. In final, she beats her compatriot Jessica Kwong.

1. Kokumai (Usa)
2. Kwong (Usa)
3. Laos Loo (Can) / Zapata (Col)

Team Kumite

  1. Venezuela
  2. Usa
  3. Canadaand Mexico

Team Kata

  1. Brazil
  2. Peru
  3. Colombia and Chile