The second day of the Karate competition at the 2023 Pan American Games being held in Santiago (Chile) was a complete Chilean celebration as Valentina Toro and Rodrigo Rojas won gold for the host nation. Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela, Janessa Fonseca of Puerto Rico and Jose Acevedo of Ecuador completed the list of gold medallists on day 2 of action. 

Valentina Toro of Chile took the flag of the host country to the top of the podium after winning gold in Female Kumite -55kg, and she did it in an excellent showcase of abilities. The local star defeated Baurelys de la Caridad Torres of Cuba 8-0 and extends her domination of the category as she is the current continental champion of the division.

The bronze medals in Female Kumite -55kg went to Kelly Brandao Fernandes of Brazil and Geraldine Peña of Colombia.

RODRIGO ROJAS CONTINUES CHILEAN CELEBRATION

The celebrations for the organising country did not stop with Toro’s success since Rodrigo Rojas won the second gold of the day for Chile in Male Kumite +84kg. Rojas, who is the current continental champion upset Lucas Fernandes of Brazil 2-1.

The bronze medals were taken by Rob Timmermans of Aruba and Giovani Salgado of Brazil.  

YORGELIS SALAZAR SHOWS EXCELLENT FORM

Yorgelis Salazar of Venezuela continued on fantastic form; just days after claiming bronze at the World Championships in Budapest, the World Ranking leader added the title at the Pan American Games to her impressive list of honours. The Grand Winner defeated Yamina Lahyanssa of Canada in the final of Female Kumite -50kg 5-3 so to win her seventh medal in seven events this season.

The bronze medals of the category went to Barbara Michelle Morales of the Independent Athletes Team and Yamila Ailen Benitez of Argentina.

CONTINENTAL AND PAN AMERICAN GAMES CROWNS FOR JOSE ACEVEDO

In Male Kumite -84kg, Jose Acevedo of Ecuador performed at a great level and won the crown of the category following a slim 3-2 victory over Ruben Henao of Colombia. With this title, Acevedo wins back-to-back continental and Pan American Games crowns.

The bronze medals were claimed by Saisheren Senpon of the United States and Jorge Alexander Merino of El Salvador.

JANESSA FONSECA SURPRISES IN FEMALE KUMITE -61KG

Puerto Rico’s Janessa Michelle Fonseca produced one of the biggest upsets of the day as she took the title of Female Kumite -61kg after defeating favourite Alexandra Grande of Peru. In one of the highlights of the day, the promising karateka from Puerto Rico took her first gold medal in international competitions following a victory by 10-7 in the final.

The bronze medals of the category went to Claudymar Garces of Venezuela and Maria Renee Wong of the Independent Athletes Team.

The Karate competition at the Pan American Games concludes Sunday with the final day of action from Santiago.

(Pictures: @gokhantnr)

2023 PAN AMERICAN GAMES