The 2019 Pan American Games were officially inaugurated on Saturday with a stunning opening ceremony that kicked off one of the biggest sports events of the season. Karate played an outstanding role in the festivities as top karateka Alexandra Grande recited the Athlete Oath of the Games. 

The 2019 Pan American Games were officially inaugurated on Saturday with a stunning opening ceremony that kicked off one of the biggest sports events of the season. Karate played an outstanding role in the festivities as top karateka Alexandra Grande recited the Athlete Oath of the Games. 

The best athletes of the Americas are now fighting for glory in the anticipated 2019 edition of the Pan American Games. Representatives from all the ries of the continent gathered in Peru?s National Stadium for a celebration of the sport in front of the nearly 50,000 spectators filling the arena. The opening ceremony of the 2019 Pan American Games was a commemoration of the ancient and storied culture of the host ry. 

Karate demonstrated its global impact with an active role in the ceremony. Top karateka and Team Panam Sports Ambassador Alexandra Grande of Peru recited the Athlete Oath of the Pan American Games in front of a worldwide audience. The karateka who is placed in 5th position of WKF World Ranking declared the promise on behalf of all the athletes to respect the rules of the competition and the spirit and values of the Games.

?What a lovely day it was!? said Alexandra Grande on her social media channels after the event. ?It was a very emotional day and I enjoyed a wonderful experience together with my team-mates. It was even more beautiful for me since I was ed to make the oath. It makes me so proud!?, she added. 

The representation of Karate at the ceremony was completed with Akio Tamashiro's participation at the event. The flag of Panam Sports was carried by a group of local legends including Akio Tamashiro, karateka who had claimed the bronze medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. The Peruvian Kata ace won three medals at Karate World Championships including silver at the 2004 World Championships in Mexico. 

The Karate competition of the Pan American Games is scheduled from August 9 to 11. No less than 132 athletes from 21 ries will compete for the medals in Lima. 

Watch Alexandra Grande's at the opening ceremony of Lima 2019 HERE 

(Pictures:Panamsports.org, Lima2019.pe)