The 2024 PKF Senior Karate Championships kicked off with a spectacular first day of competition in Punta del Este, Uruguay. This event, unique among continental championships, allows each country to enter two athletes per category. This rule led to exciting matches, including finals featuring athletes from the same nation.
Day 1 Results
Female Kata
- Sakura Kokumai (United States)
- Gabrielle Henrique (Brazil)
- Victoria Hernandez Moyeda (Venezuela)
- Valentina Zapata Machado (Colombia)
Male Kata
- Ariel Torres Gutierrez (United States)
- Gakuji Tozaki (United States)
- Cleiver Casanova Guerrero (Venezuela)
- Dyun Kimura (Brazil)
Female Kumite -68 kg
- Janessa Michelle Fonseca Romero (Puerto Rico)
- Anastasiia Velozo (Chile)
- Wendy Mary Ann Mosquera Riasco (Colombia)
- Paola Rubio (Mexico)
Female Kumite 68+ kg
- Brenda Padilha Pereira (Brazil)
- Javiera Gonzalez Lavin (Chile)
- Rosiane De Oliveira Pereira (Brazil)
- Oriana Rodriguez (Venezuela)
Male Kumite -84 kg
- Fabian Huaiquiman (Chile)
- Anderson Soriano Solano (Dominican Republic)
- Sebastian Dodero (Chile)
- Jose Antonio Acevedo (Ecuador)
Male Kumite 84+ kg
- Brian Irr (United States)
- Rob Timmermans (Curacao)
- Eduard Sagilyan (United States)
- Diego Fernando Lenis Calderon (Colombia)
Country Medal Tally
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Chile | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Venezuela | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dominican Republic | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Curacao | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Mexico | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Ecuador | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Highlights of Day 1
The United States dominated the Kata categories, with Sakura Kokumai and Ariel Torres Gutierrez winning gold in Female and Male Kata, respectively. The Male Kata final was particularly noteworthy, with Ariel Torres Gutierrez facing off against his compatriot Gakuji Tozaki.
In Female Kumite -68 kg, Puerto Rico’s Janessa Michelle Fonseca Romero clinched gold, while Brenda Padilha Pereira of Brazil took the top spot in the Female Kumite 68+ kg category.
Chile’s Fabian Huaiquiman triumphed in the Male Kumite -84 kg, showcasing the strength of Chilean karate. The United States continued its winning streak with Brian Irr securing gold in the Male Kumite 84+ kg.
Looking Ahead
With a thrilling start to the 2024 PKF Senior Karate Championships, anticipation builds for the upcoming days of competition. The event not only promises more high-stakes matches but also determines the representatives for the World Team Championships in Pamplona, Spain, later this year. Stay tuned for more updates and results as the championships continue to unfold.