Antonio Diaz, Douglas Brose and Sakura Kokumai were among the Karate heroes that succeeded at the 2017 Karate Pan American Championships being held this week in Curaçao. Frontrunners took gold in the last day of competition thus being proclaimed new kings and queens of continental Karate.

Antonio Diaz, Douglas Brose and Sakura Kokumai were among the Karate heroes that succeeded at the 2017 Karate Pan American Championships being held this week in Curaçao. Frontrunners took gold in the last day of competition thus being proclaimed new kings and queens of continental Karate.

In an unprecedented feat, Antonio Diaz earned his tenth consecutive Pan American crown after winning gold in Male Kata. The Venezuelan Karate Star became one of the most awarded and one of the best Kata karatekas of all times after defeating fellow teammate Cleiver Casanova by unanimous decision so to continue making history in Pan American Karate.

Douglas Brose was another big hero of the event, as the Brazilian Karate Star won his fourth consecutive continental title. The two-time World champion was making his debut in international competition this season, but demonstrated an outstanding domination of the Male Kumite -60kg category, as the 31 year-old clearly defeated Colombia's Andres Rendon.

FRONTRUNNERS MAKING THEIR MARK

The list of karatekas monopolizing their categories was also completed by Sakura Kokumai of the USA who claimed her third consecutive continental title in Female Kata. The 24 year-old Hawaiian karateka defeated Maria Dimitrova of the Dominican Republic by split decision so to continue reigning in the category of choreographed movements.

As she confirmed her status of top favorite, Brazil's Valeria Kumizaki won her first Pan American title after beating newcomer Baurelys Torres of Cuba in Female Kumite -55kg. The World Championships runner-up used her experience in her favour to win her first gold this season.

In Male Kumite -75kg, Brazil's Hernani Verissimo kept dominating the category and clinched his second continental title in a row. The Brazilian promising karateka beat Juan Landazuri of Colombia so to continue ruling the competition at under 75kg.

Meanwhile, in Female Kumite -50Kg Ana Villanueva of Dominican Republic regained the continental crown that she had won in 2014 for the last time after defeating Aurimer Campos of Venezuela so to increase the tally of medals for the Dominican country.

Also claiming a new continental title, Jorge Perez of Dominican Republic repeated triumph in Male Kumite -84 kg and won his second Pan American crown in a convincing victory over Freddy Valera of Venezuela.

NEW NAMES TAKING GOLD IN CURAÇAO

Young promising karateka Carolina Dayana Videla of Chile claimed her first gold in major international competition following her victory in Female Kumite -61kg over Colombia's Stefanny Medina, and became one of the new names to watch at continental level. 

Ashley Davis of the USA also took her first gold in individual competition by defeating Mexico's Sachiko Ramos in Female Kumite -68 kg. The World Championships bronze medallist in Female Team Kumite was one of the three gold medallist for the USA at the competition.

In one of her first appearances in senior competition at international level Colombia's Shanee Torres prevailed in Female Kumite 68+ kg as the 19 year-old defeated Ana Isabel Mendoza of Mexico thus stating the prevalence of young generations in international tournaments.  

In his first title in over five years, Luis Trivino gave Colombian delegation even more reasons to celebrate after winning gold in Male Kumite -67kg. The 2012 continental title-holder surprised and defeated favorite Andres Madera of Venezuela in one of the most notable upsets of the event.

At 22 years-old, Daniel Gaysinsky of Canada claimed his first title in major competition after edging Cuba's Lazaro Chapman in Male Kumite 84+ kg.

Brazil topped the medal table of the tournament with a tally of eight medals and four golds. Colombia with nine medals and three golds, and the USA with 11 medals and three golds also completed successful performances in the memorable event in Curaçao.