The 2024 PKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil, concluded with a thrilling final day of competition. The United States emerged as the overall champions, topping the medal table with 41 medals, including 12 golds. Brazil, the host nation, finished a close second with 37 medals and 12 golds, while Venezuela's spirited performance earned them 19 medals, including 5 golds. Here's a breakdown of the final day's events and the champions who stood out.

Junior Kumite Female -48 KG: Maria Rita Franca of Brazil Edges Arianna Gomez of Venezuela

 

In the Junior Kumite Female -48 kg category, Brazil’s Maria Rita Franca triumphed over Arianna Gomez of Venezuela in a closely contested match. Franca secured the gold with a narrow 2-1 victory, adding to Brazil’s impressive medal haul.

 

Junior Kumite Female -53 KG: Lavinia Costa of Brazil Wins Gold Against Melanye Altuve of the United States

 

Lavinia Costa claimed another gold for Brazil in the Junior Kumite Female -53 kg category. Costa’s match against the United States' Melanye Altuve ended in a 2-2 draw, but Costa was awarded the victory based on having scored the first point.

 

Junior Kumite Female -59 KG Hemilly Moreira of Brazil Dominates Yubia Marina Quintero of Mexico

 

Brazil's Hemilly Moreira delivered a commanding performance in the Junior Kumite Female -59 kg final, defeating Mexico's Yubia Marina Quintero 2-0.

 

Junior Kumite Female -66 KG Geomara Quintero of Mexico Outclasses Valentina Mora of Venezuela

 

In the Junior Kumite Female -66 kg category, Mexico’s Geomara Quintero showcased her skills with a decisive 6-2 victory over Venezuela’s Valentina Mora. Quintero’s win added a significant gold to Mexico’s tally.

 

Junior Kumite Female 66+ KG Olivia Borowski of the United States Clinches Gold

 

Olivia Borowski of the United States secured the gold in the Junior Kumite Female 66+ kg category after a tense 4-4 victory over Costa Rica's Amanda Moreno.

 

Junior Kumite Male -55 KG: Daniel Alejandro Cruz of Mexico Dominates Jeremy Parra of Ecuador

 

Mexico’s Daniel Alejandro Cruz was unstoppable in the Junior Kumite Male -55 kg final, overpowering Ecuador's Jeremy Parra with a 5-0 win. Cruz’s victory was one of the standout performances of the day.

 

Junior Kumite Male -61 KG: Jared Chuchuca of Ecuador Wins Big Over Thiago Leoncio of Brazil

 

Ecuador’s Jared Chuchuca delivered a powerful 10-2 victory against Brazil’s Thiago Leoncio in the Junior Kumite Male -61 kg final, marking one of the highest-scoring bouts of the day.

 

Junior Kumite Male -68 KG: Younesse Talhi of Canada Edges Angelo Bicocca of Argentina

 

Canada’s Younesse Talhi emerged victorious in the Junior Kumite Male -68 kg final, defeating Argentina’s Angelo Bicocca 5-3 in a closely fought contest.

 

Junior Kumite Male -76 KG: Caua Faria of Brazil Defeats Landen Wood of the United States

 

Brazil’s Caua Faria secured gold in the Junior Kumite Male -76 kg category with a narrow 3-2 win over the United States’ Landen Wood, capping off a series of tight matches in this weight class.

 

Junior Kumite Male 76+ KG: Michael Molinero of the United States Tops Ethan Barreto of Ecuador

 

The United States’ Michael Molinero earned the gold in the Junior Kumite Male 76+ kg category after a tense encounter with Ecuador’s Ethan Barreto. Molinero’s victory further solidified the U.S. lead on the medal table.

 

U21 Kumite Female -50 Kg: Sofia Cardenas of Colombia Outlasts Leticia Kato of Brazil

 

Colombia’s Sofia Cardenas claimed the U21 Kumite Female -50 kg title with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Brazil’s Leticia Kato, adding another gold to Colombia's medal count.

 

U21 Kumite Female -55 KG: Sol Sandoval of Bolivia Overwhelms Maria Ouyahia of Canada

 

Bolivia’s Sol Sandoval delivered a dominant performance in the U21 Kumite Female -55 kg category, defeating Canada’s Maria Ouyahia 14-4 in one of the most lopsided victories of the day.

 

U21 Kumite Female -61 KG: Nathalia Faria of Brazil Defeats Caroline Tomaz of Brazil

 

In an all-Brazil final, Nathalia Faria won gold in the U21 Kumite Female -61 kg category by defeating Caroline Tomaz 4-0,.

 

U21 Kumite Female -68 KG: Amy Lopez of Ecuador Edges Janaina Zapelini of Brazil

 

Ecuador’s Amy Lopez secured the U21 Kumite Female -68 kg title with a narrow 1-0 win over Brazil’s Janaina Zapelini.

 

U21 Kumite Female 68+ KG: Lily-Rose Nolet of Canada Wins Gold on Decision Over Miriam Trujillo of the United States

 

Canada’s Lily-Rose Nolet claimed the U21 Kumite Female 68+ kg gold by decision after a 0-0 tie with the United States’ Miriam Trujillo. The judges awarded Nolet the victory based on overall performance.

 

U21 Kumite Male -60 KG: Steve Calderon of Ecuador Triumphs Over Bastian Arce of Chile

 

Ecuador’s Steve Calderon secured a close 6-5 victory over Chile’s Bastian Arce in the U21 Kumite Male -60 kg final, earning a well-deserved gold for his country.

 

U21 Kumite Male -67 KG: Evangelos Akde of the United States Beats Fernando Villegas of Peru

 

The U21 Kumite Male -67 kg final saw the United States' Evangelos Akde claim gold after a 3-3 tie with Peru’s Fernando Villegas. Akde was awarded the win.

 

U21 Kumite Male -75 Kg:_ Kauan Ribeiro of Brazil Secures Gold Against Sahil Kasturi of the United States

 

Brazil’s Kauan Ribeiro took the U21 Kumite Male -75 kg title with a decisive 4-1 victory over Sahil Kasturi of the United States, adding to Brazil's medal tally.

 

U21 Kumite Male -84 KG: Santiago Ospina of Colombia Dominates Gabriel Torrealba of Venezuela

 

Colombia’s Santiago Ospina captured the U21 Kumite Male -84 kg title with a commanding 10-3 victory over Venezuela’s Gabriel Torrealba, showcasing his skill and dominance.

 

U21 Kumite Male 84+ KG: Eduard Sagilyan of the United States Defeats Joaquin Sanchez of Venezuela

 

The United States' Eduard Sagilyan rounded off the U21 Kumite Male 84+ kg category with a solid 5-1 victory over Venezuela’s Joaquin Sanchez, securing another gold for his team.

 

Kata Team Cadet and Junior Female: Brazil Edges the United States

 

Brazil claimed victory in the Kata Team Cadet and Junior Female category, narrowly defeating the United States with a score of 39.20 to 38.60, adding another gold to the host nation’s collection.

 

Kata Team Cadet and Junior Male: United States Wins Title

 

The United States secured the gold in the Kata Team Cadet and Junior Male category, defeating Brazil 38.90 to 37.30 in a tightly contested final.

 

Kata Team Female U21: Mexico Takes Gold  

 

Mexico triumphed in the Kata Team Female U21 category, besting Brazil with a score of 37.60 to 36.20.

 

Kata Team Male U21: Brazil Claims Title

 

Brazil won the Kata Team Male U21 gold with a narrow 38.00 to 37.80 victory over Mexico, bringing the home crowd to their feet in celebration.

 

Kumite Team Female U21: Canada Outshines Argentina

 

Canada secured the gold in the Kumite Team Female U21 category, defeating Argentina 2-0 in a dominant performance.

 

Kumite Team Male U21: United States Wins Title Against Venezuela

 

The United States closed out the competition by winning the Kumite Team Male U21 title, defeating Venezuela 2-0 to cap off a successful tournament.

 

The 2024 PKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships showcased the best young karate talent in the Americas, setting the stage for future stars of the sport. The next edition of the event will be held in August 2025 in Asuncion (Paraguay).

 

Picture: GASPAR PATIÑO KARATEMEX

 

2024 PKF CADET, JUNIOR & U21 CHAMPIONSHIPS