Brazil finishes on top as Final Day of 2026 PKF Senior & U21 Championships Shows Progress of Karate in America

The final day of the 2026 PKF Senior & U21 Championships in Rio de Janeiro-Macaé, Brazil, crowned the new kings and queens of karate in the Americas in the team events, para karate divisions and the last U21 categories. Hosts Brazil closed the continental competition at the top of the medal table with eight gold medals and 22 medals overall, ahead of Chile with six golds and the United States with four.

Female Team Kata – Peru

Peru claimed the continental title in female team kata after defeating Brazil 4-1 in the final. The Peruvian squad delivered a strong performance against the home favourites to secure the gold medal and the Pan American crown.

Male Team Kata – Colombia

Colombia became the new Pan American champion in male team kata with a narrow 3-2 victory over Venezuela. The final remained close until the last score, with Colombia taking the title after an intense contest between two of the continent’s strongest teams.

Male Team Kumite – Chile

Chile captured the gold medal in male team kumite after a dominant 3-0 victory against Mexico in the final. The Chilean team controlled the match and claim the title to secure the ticket to the Karate World Cup.

Female Team Kumite – Venezuela

Venezuela won the female team kumite title after beating Chile 2-0 in the final. The Venezuelan athletes showed strong tactical discipline to claim the continental championship and the qualification to the Karate World Cup later this year.

U21 Kumite Male -60kg – Daniel Alejandro Cruz Romero

Mexico celebrated gold in the U21 male -60kg category through Daniel Alejandro Cruz Romero, who defeated Martin Aguilera Cabrera of Chile in the final to become the new Pan American champion.

U21 Kumite Male -67kg – Sebastian Toledo

Sebastian Toledo of Colombia earned the continental title in the U21 male -67kg division after overcoming Maximiliano Ara Munoz of Chile in the gold medal match.

U21 Kumite Female -50kg – Ana Sofia Vasquez

Venezuela’s Ana Sofia Vasquez won the U21 female -50kg title after defeating Angelica Lucia Ospina of Colombia in the final.

U21 Kumite Female -55kg – Lavinia Costa

Brazil added another gold medal through Lavinia Costa, who claimed the U21 female -55kg crown with victory over Maria Ouyahia of Canada.

U21 Kumite Female -61kg – Giovana Patricio

Brazil also celebrated gold in the U21 female -61kg category as Giovana Patricio defeated Ana Carolina Herrera Ayala of Mexico in the final.

Para Karate K10 Female – Anahi Criollo

Ecuador’s Anahi Criollo became the new Pan American champion in the blind/visually impaired female K10 division after defeating Melani Naomi Banos Lara of Mexico.

Para Karate K10 Male – Jose Roberto Gonzalez Carreon

Jose Roberto Gonzalez Carreon of Mexico secured the title in the blind/visually impaired male K10 category with a victory over Sabahudin Tricic of the United States.

Para Karate K21 Female – Alejandra Payan

The United States earned gold in the intellectually impaired female K21 category through Alejandra Payan, who defeated fellow American Jamie Green in the final.

Para Karate K22 Female – Natalie Olson

Canada’s Natalie Olson won the intellectually impaired female K22 division after beating Lucero Alvarez of Chile.

Para Karate K21 Male – Benjamin Doig

Benjamin Doig gave Canada another para karate gold medal after defeating Jose Bustos Vergara of Chile in the intellectually impaired male K21 final.

Para Karate K22 Male – Nicolas Vilches

Chile celebrated victory in the intellectually impaired male K22 category thanks to Nicolas Vilches, who defeated Kevin Rodriguez of the United States.

Para Karate K30 Male – Diego Tomas Ojeda

Argentina’s Diego Tomas Ojeda claimed the wheelchair user male K30 title after overcoming Hugo Arriola of Paraguay in the final.

Para Karate K30 Female – Jocelyn Torres

Jocelyn Torres of Chile secured the gold medal in the wheelchair user female K30 category to close a successful final day for the Chilean delegation.

The championship brought together top athletes from across the Americas in Rio de Janeiro-Macaé and marked the end of four thrilling days of competition featuring senior, U21 and para karate divisions.

2026 PKF SENIOR & U21 CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Pictures: Jonathan da Rocha / CBK)