Sunday, November 5th, 2023.- Brazil continues to collect gold medals in the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, this time by winning the female's -68kg karate kumite competition thanks to the excellent performance of Barbara Rodrigues at Centro de Deportes de Contacto.

The Brazilian athlete defeated the Colombian Wendy Mosquera 4-2, earning the first gold for her country in this discipline after securing one silver and four bronzes in the previous days.

Rodrigues had already caused a surprise in the female's -68kg semifinals by defeating the American Skylar Lingl, currently ranked 14th in the world in her category and the highest-ranked participant in these Pan American Games.

Excited about her victory, the Brazilian stated after winning the gold, 'I am very happy because the journey to get here was very tough. Taking the gold at these Pan American Games to my home is a wonderful feeling. I am very, very happy.'

'I felt very good and confident. I prepared a lot to be 100% ready for this competition,' she concluded, hailing from Minas Gerais.

With this gold medal, Brazil's total gold count in Santiago 2023 reaches 65, solidifying their second-place position in the overall medal standings, with the United States being the only country ahead.

Written by Patricio Echagüe, Paula Vivanco y Herman Chanampa; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo by Juan Carlos Romo / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport