The athlete announced her official retirement from individual kata and team kata.
On Wednesday, Dominican Republic’s Maria Dimitrova won her sixth consecutive gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games, with an impeccable kata performance, defeating Colombia’s Valentina Zapata 5-0.
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“I am extremely proud and happy to win this gold in front of my people, in my country. Nothing compares to this,” said Dimitrova, who began her golden streak in Cartagena in 2006.
After saying goodbye with a hug from her coach and her husband, former Olympic champion Felix Sanchez, the athlete announced her official retirement from individual kata and stated that she will also retire from team kata, hoping to add another medal before ending her competitive career.
Dimitrova explained that her preparation was difficult after giving birth to her second child a year ago, but emphasized that thanks to good planning and international competitions, she was able to regain her athletic form.
María Dimitrova cierra un capítulo de su carrera deportiva representando a República Dominicana
con su 6º oro consecutivo de Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe, en casa, #santodomingo2026, y ella lo describe como un hecho que no cambiaría jamás.#bazilsports pic.twitter.com/vPXBmi00xO
— Richard Bazil (@RichardBazil) August 6, 2026
The text reads, “Maria Dimitrova closes a chapter of her sports career representing the Dominican Republic with her 6th consecutive gold from the Central American and Caribbean Games, at home, and she describes it as a fact she would never change.”
Regarding her rival, Valentina Zapata, she noted that she is a “tremendous athlete” destined to succeed her in regional kata, acknowledging the quality of the new generation of competitors.
Before the competition, Dimitrova had expressed her excitement about aiming for a sixth consecutive gold medal before the Dominican public, describing the experience as unique in her career.
“I’m leaving karate, but I’m staying in karate. I’m leaving competition and will continue teaching children and young people. It’s a lifelong passion,” she affirmed. Her legacy in Central American and Caribbean karate is solidified as one of the most outstanding.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Dominican Republic: A massive solidarity demonstration with Venezuela took place to demand the freedom of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. pic.twitter.com/GA1MixqB0K
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) January 30, 2026
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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