The first day of the 2023 PKF Senior Championships showcased the impressive skills of USA Karate representatives, who dominated the competition with exceptional performances. Following their successful qualification for the Pan American Games, Olympians Sakura Kokumai and Ariel Torres emerged as stars of the event, particularly excelling in the Kata category.
Sakura Kokumai Secures Ninth Continental Crown in Female Kata: In the Female Kata category, Sakura Kokumai, an Olympian, claimed her ninth continental crown after a captivating performance. Demonstrating her mastery of the art, she emerged victorious with a score of 41.1, defeating her opponent Jessica Kwong, who scored 39.8. Kokumai's exceptional display of skill reaffirmed her status as a formidable karateka.
Ariel Torres Clinches Fourth Pan-American Gold in Male Kata: Olympic Games bronze medalist Ariel Torres added another remarkable achievement to his name by winning the All-American final of Male Kata. Torres showcased his technical prowess and determination, securing his fourth Pan-American gold medal. In a closely contested bout, he outperformed his teammate Gakuji Tozaki with a score of 43.2 against 42.0, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the category.
Skylar Lingl Claims Victory in Female Kumite -68kg: Skylar Lingl contributed to USA Karate's outstanding performance by clinching the title in the Female Kumite -68kg division. Lingl, who had previously secured her ticket to the Pan American Games, demonstrated her exceptional skills with a convincing 8-3 victory over Wendy Mary Ann Mosquera of Colombia. Lingl's triumph marked her second continental crown, further establishing her as a rising star in the discipline.
Rodrigo Rojas Emerges Victorious in Male Kumite +84kg: The final of the Male Kumite +84kg category witnessed an intense battle between two experienced karatekas. Rodrigo Rojas of Chile, a former champion in 2021, emerged triumphant with a narrow 4-3 victory over United States Olympian Brian Irr. Rojas showcased his resilience and skill, reclaiming the continental title in a highly competitive showdown.
Jose Antonio Acevedo Surprises in Male Kumite -84kg: In a surprising turn of events, Jose Antonio Acevedo of Ecuador claimed the title in the Male Kumite -84kg category. Acevedo, previously known for his bronze medal at the U21 Continental Championships, produced an impressive upset by defeating Jorge Merino of El Salvador with a score of 1-1 in the final. His remarkable performance marked a significant milestone in his karate journey.
The PKF Championships continue with the remaining categories, offering more opportunities for karatekas to showcase their skills and secure their places in upcoming events.
ANOC Beach Games Qualification: The PKF Championships also serve as a qualifying event for the upcoming ANOC Beach Games, scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, from August 6 to 7. The two top-ranked athletes in the Costa Rica Kata competition will earn tickets to this multi-sport event.
Qualifying Places for ANOC Beach Games: In Female Kata, since Sakura Kokumai has already qualified through the World Championships and only one representative per country is allowed to compete, the qualifying spots go to the bronze medalists Valentina Zapata of Colombia and Claudia Laos-Loos of Canada. In Male Kata, Gakuji Tozaki secured the qualification with his fifth-place finish at the World Championships. The qualifying places will be confirmed by the respective National Olympic Committees and go to the two bronze medalists Joshua Steve Nunez of Costa Rica
