Front-runners and rising stars emerged victorious on the first day of competition of the 31st Karate Pan American Championships being held this week in Curaçao. Defending champion Hernani Verissimo of Brazil took the spotlight in the first day of competition, as the Brazilian ace confirmed his dominance in the Male Kumite -75 Kg category after presenting a firm demonstration in all his bout.

Front-runners and rising stars emerged victorious on the first day of competition of the 31st Karate Pan American Championships being held this week in Curaçao. 

Defending champion Hernani Verissimo of Brazil took the spotlight on the first day of competition, as the Brazilian ace confirmed his dominance in the Male Kumite -75 Kg category after presenting a firm demonstration in all his bouts. His rival in the final is Juan Landazury of Colombia who qualified for the title-deciding clash following his shocking victory over Karate Star Thomas Scott in the main pool tree round. 

The Venezuelan delegation had more reasons to celebrate since “vinotinto” talent Freddy Valera also made it to the final of Male Kumite -84 kg. The 2016 PKF Junior & Cadet champion hopes to earn his first medal in senior competition, and the 21 year-old karateka will have to defeat defending champion Jorge Perez of Dominican Republic. The two-time Pan American Championships medallist and Dominican fan favourite aims at his second consecutive gold in the tournament after edging Miguel Amargos of Argentina in the semifinal. 

RISING STARS SHINE IN CURAÇAO 

It was the time to shine for newcomers and rising stars of Pan American Karate on the first day of competition, as some of the new faces in continental scene qualified to clash for gold in the tournament. 

In Female Kumite -61kg, newcomers Carolina Dayana Videla of Chile and Colombia’s Steffany Medina surprised and made it to their first final in senior competition, much to the delight of their delegations.  

Also producing shocking results, Mexico’s Sachiko Ramos and Ashley Davis of the USA will meet in the final of Female Kumite -68kg.  The Mexican young sensation had reached the final in her first appearance in international competitions last year in the continental championships in Rio de Janeiro so to claim silver. Meanwhile, fresh of her bronze medal in the Female Team Kumite competition at the 2016 World Championships, Ashley Davis reached her first final in major international tournaments and hopes to retake the title for USA Karate. 

The surprising results continued in Male Kumite +84kg category as young karateka Lazaro Chapman of Cuba defeated defending champion Rodrigo Rojas of Chile to qualify for the final in a stunning performance. His rival in the final will be Daniel Gaysinsky of Canada. After his silver medal in Karate 1-Premier League this season, the 22-year old karateka aims at confirming his rising status with his first title in international competition. 

The action continues in Curaçao with day 02 of the tournament, in which the finalists of the rest of the categories will be decided. 

Click here for more information on the 2016 Karate Pan American Championships.