Spanish
SANTO DOMINGO. – With the participation of athletes from more than 20 countries, the Karate Qualifying Championship begins this Thursday, which will award 144 places for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026.
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The event will be held on Thursday and Friday at the Fencing Pavilion, starting at 9:00 in the morning, according to the president of the Dominican Karate Federation, José Luis Ramírez, and the technical director, Antonio Volquez.The protocol act is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. with the presence of national and international sports authorities, including the president of the Pan American Karate Confederation, José García Mañón, who is already in the country with his delegation.
During the competition, tickets will be contested in both the men's and women's divisions, which will define those classified for the regional event, scheduled to open on July 24 at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. Ramírez highlighted that the tournament has the support of the Ministry of Sports, Inefi, the Organizing Committee of the Games and the Dominican Olympic Committee, in addition to the federation as the organizing entity.Skills Program
The day on Thursday will begin with the individual kata modality in both branches. In women's kumite, the categories -55 and -68 kilograms will be competed, while in men's, the -67, -84 and over 84 kilos will be disputed. For Friday, the competitions will continue with team kata and new kumite divisions: in female (-50, -61 and over 68 kg) and in male (-60 and -75 kg). Prior to the start of the tournament, the athletes went through the weigh-in process and training sessions on the same stage. As part of the activities, this Saturday a joint training will be held between all participating delegations, strengthening the preparation for the qualifier. The event is part of the official process towards the Central American and Caribbean Games, consolidating Santo Domingo as the sporting epicenter of the region in this 2026.
