The Guatemalan Karate Team completed an impeccable performance in the qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, by securing the 13 available places in all the categories in which it competed. The tournament was held on April 16 and 17 in the Dominican Republic and the first seven places in each category obtained their ticket to the Games, which will be held from July 24 to August 8 of this year.
The result confirms the work of the national coaching staff made up of José Juan de León and Guido Abdala, whose main objective was to classify the athletes regardless of the final position in the tournament. “The first step towards the true goal was achieved. We had been working hard, with demanding training, but in the end the effort paid off. Now the Games are coming and we are going to prepare to arrive at a good level,” expressed Pedropablo De La Roca, one of those classified.
Guatemala is thus confirmed as one of the candidates to compete against the powers of the region in Santo Domingo 2026, with a complete delegation in combat, individual kata and team kata that reflects the solidity of Guatemalan karate in the Central American and Caribbean circuit.
Those classified for Santo Domingo
Combat selection:
- Fabiana Cevasco (-55 kg)
- Maria Renee Wong (-61 kg)
- Luisa Palencia (-68 kg)
- Odalis López (+68 kg)
- Pedropablo De La Roca (-60 kg)
- Carlos Chacón (-67 kg)
- Allan Maldonado (-75 kg)
- Gerson Morales (-84 kg)
- Brandon Ramírez (+84 kg).
Individual kata:
- Fernando Calderón and Mariana Godoy.
Men’s kata team:
- Fernando Calderón, Diego Chacón and José Miguel Cárcamo.
Women’s kata team:
- Mariana Godoy, Daniela Solares and Luciana Cevasco.
Among the most outstanding performances of the qualifier, María Renee Wong beat Ana Herrera from Mexico and Dionela Casares from Costa Rica on her way to seal her ticket, while Luisa Fernanda Palencia beat representatives from Venezuela and Cuba in her category. Pedropablo De La Roca, who will compete in his third Central American and Caribbean Games, beat rivals from El Salvador and Costa Rica to confirm his classification, in what was a collective performance that leaves Guatemalan karate with its head held high ahead of the great regional event of the summer.