SANTO DOMINGO – This Thursday, the Karate Qualifying Championship begins, an event that will bring together athletes from more than 20 countries and will award 144 places for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026. The competition will take place in the Fencing Pavilion, starting at 9:00 in the morning on both Thursday and Friday, as reported by José Luis Ramírez, president of the Dominican Karate Federation, and Antonio Volquez, technical director. The protocol act is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., with the participation of prominent figures from the national and international sports field. Among the guests is José García Mañón, president of the Pan American Karate Confederation, who is already in the country with his delegation. The main objective of the tournament is to define those classified for the regional event, which will begin on July 24 at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium. Competition will be in both branches, male and female, for a place in the games.
The tournament is supported by the Ministry of Sports, Inefi, the Games Organizing Committee and the Dominican Olympic Committee, in addition to the federation as the organizing entity.
José Luis Ramírez
Skills Program
- Thursday: Individual Kata (both branches). Female Kumite (-55 and -68 kg). Male Kumite (-67, -84 and +84 kg).
- Friday: Team Kata. Female Kumite (-50, -61 and +68 kg). Male Kumite (-60 and -75 kg).
Prior to the start of the tournament, the athletes completed the weigh-in and conducted training on the same stage.
As part of the activities, a joint training session has been scheduled for Saturday, where all delegations will participate. This will strengthen the athletes’ preparation for the qualifier. The event is part of the official process towards the Central American and Caribbean Games, consolidating Santo Domingo as a central point for sports in the region for 2026.
