Continental champions crowned on thrilling opening day at 2026 PKF Senior & U21 Championships

The first day of the 2026 PKF Senior & U21 Championships in Rio de Janeiro-Macaé, Brazil, crowned the first queens and kings of karate in the Americas. Athletes from across the continent delivered high-level performances in a competition that reflected the continued growth of karate in the region. Senior champions were decided in kata and kumite, while the first U21 gold medals were also awarded in front of an enthusiastic crowd in Brazil.

Female Kata: Maria Dimitrova (DOM)

Maria Dimitrova of the Dominican Republic claimed the gold medal after defeating Gabrielle Henrique of Brazil 3-2 in one of the most emotional finals of the day. The contest featured a clash between experience and youth, with 40-year-old Dimitrova overcoming 18-year-old Henrique to secure her third continental title. Dimitrova returned to the top of the podium for the first time since winning the crown in 2019, completing an impressive comeback.

Male Kumite -75 Kg:Juan Felipe Landazury Avenia (COL)

Juan Felipe Landazury Avenia of Colombia captured the Pan American title with a dominant 10-2 victory over Joaquin Gonzalez Lavin of Chile. Landazury produced one of the strongest performances of the day to earn his first continental gold medal. Before this triumph, his best result had been the silver medal he won in 2017.

Male Kumite -84 Kg:Filipe Alberto (BRA)

Brazil celebrated gold through Filipe Alberto, who defeated Ruben Dario Henao Amu of Colombia 4-0 in the final. Alberto controlled the match from the beginning and successfully defended the title he won in 2025. The victory, in front of a home crowd, confirmed his position as one of the leading athletes in the division in the Americas.

Male Kumite +84 Kg:Rodrigo Rojas (CHI)

Rodrigo Rojas of Chile added another major achievement to his career after beating Eduard Sagilyan of the United States 5-1 in the heavyweight final. Rojas, who is experiencing a fantastic season and has nearly secured the Grand Winner award, claimed his fifth continental title and his second consecutive gold medal at the championships with a confident performance.

Female Kumite -68 Kg: Anastasiia Velozo (CHI)

Anastasiia Velozo of Chile earned her first continental crown after defeating Hilary Pond of Canada 7-5 in a close and exciting final. Velozo improved on the silver medal she won in 2024 and showed strong attacking karate throughout the competition to take the gold medal.

Female Kumite +68 Kg: Brenda Pereira (BRA)

Brenda Pereira of Brazil won the all-Brazilian final against Rosiane De Oliveira Pereira with a narrow 1-0 victory. The title marked the third continental gold medal for Brenda Pereira, who had last stood on top of the podium in 2024. The final was decided by fine margins in a tactical contest between two top Brazilian athletes.

U21 Kata Male: Maick Duque (COL)

Colombia celebrated another gold medal as Maick Duque became the new U21 Pan American champion in male kata with an outstanding performance in the junior division.

U21 Kata Team Female: Venezuela

Venezuela secured the gold medal in U21 female kata team after defeating Mexico, confirming the country’s strength and consistency in team kata competition.

U21 Kumite Team Female:Venezuela

Venezuela also topped the podium in U21 female kumite team, beating Chile and closing a successful opening day for the South American nation.

The 2026 PKF Senior & U21 Championships continue in Rio de Janeiro-Macaé with more titles to be decided as the best karate athletes in the Americas battle for continental glory.

2026 PKF SENIOR & U21 CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Pictures: Jonathan da Rocha / CBK)