United States top medal table of PKF Cadet, Junior & U21 Championships

Nearly 1000 young karatekas from 24 countries gathered in Santiago to crown the future stars of the sport in the continent. The United States headed the medal table with 13 gold medals followed by Brazil and Venezuela with nine and seven golds respectively.

Karatekas from Brazil and Venezuela dominated the Cadet divisions with three gold medals each, while representatives of the United States and Canada celebrated two titles in Cadet categories respectively. Brazil’s Gabrielle Henrique in Cadet Kata Female and Gabriel Pickarski in Cadet Kumite Male -57kg, and Venezuela’s Gianluca Greco Lopez in Cadet Kata Male and Renata Cecilia Mosquera Reyes in Cadet Kumite Female -54kg were among the heroes of the day in Cadet divisions.

The United States’ strength started being showcased in Junior categories as the representatives of the powerhouse nation claimed five golds, including the titles won by Sophia Singleton in Junior Kumite Female -48kg and Mateo Nacu in Junior Kumite Male -61kg. Ecuador with three crowns also shined in Junior divisions.

In U21 categories, Brazil’s karatekas performed at an excellent level with four gold medals and Kauan Bruno Ribeiro in U21 Kumite Male -75kg and Giulie Anne Soares in U21 Kumite Female -68kg leading the quest to the title. The delegation of the United States took three titles in U21 divisions.

The younger division of U14 was a clash between the United States and Peru, with three gold medals each. Peru’s Valentino Yael Lavado Rojas in U14 Kumite Male -55kg and Pablo Emanuel Asalde Mendoza in U14 Kumite Male +55kg and the United States’ Surya Balaji in U14 Kumite Male -40kg and Isabella Sanchez in U14 Kumite Female -42kg were among the big winners in U14 categories.

The event was a celebration of Karate’s strength in underage divisions as Santiago braces to host the Pan American Games later this year.

2023 PKF CADET, JUNIOR & U21 CHAMPIONSHIPS