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Santo Domingo. Former karateka Rubel Salomón, the first Dominican champion of karate in the Pan American Games, will enter the Dominican Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, a recognition that consolidates one of the most successful careers in the history of national sports.
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Native of Samaná, Salomón was one of the most outstanding figures in Dominican karate. Throughout his career, he won 68 international medals, including medals in World, Pan American, Ibero-American, and Central American championships, as well as more than 80 in total counting his national participations.
His most remembered achievement came at the 2003 Santo Domingo Pan American Games, where he was proclaimed champion, becoming the first Dominican to complete the Olympic Cycle. That victory represented only the fourth individual medal for the country in the history of the continental event.
Salomón, who started in karate in 1993 under the guidance of Crucito Bueno and Juan Manuel López, was presented as the tenth athlete to be immortalized this year. The 59th ceremony of the Hall of Fame will be held on Sunday, November 16th in the auditorium of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center, with businessman Manuel Estrella as honorary president.
During his career, the former athlete accumulated an enviable record:
- Nine undefeated gold medals in Central American and Caribbean Karate Championships.
- Individual and team champion in the Central American and Caribbean Games San Salvador 2002.
- Silver and bronze medalist in the Cartagena 2006 and Mayagüez 2010 Games.
- Winner of the world gold in the Wado Ryu of Portugal 2009, in the open category.
