Panamanian athlete Edgardo Torres was one of the standout performers at the Central American Karate Championships, recently held in Nicaragua. In the junior category, the 17-year-old Torres won the gold medal in the kata discipline. In this category, he first defeated Mexican Dante Honorato 4-1, then Salvadoran Marco Mira 4-1. In the quarterfinals, he beat Venezuelan Sebastián D' Jesús 3-2, and in the semifinals, he defeated Venezuelan Gabriel Azuaje 3-2. In the final, he faced the leader of the other pool, Venezuelan Leonardo Cariel, winning 3-2. Torres also had an excellent performance in the Senior category, winning the bronze medal. On his way to the bronze, he defeated Honduran Alberto Armijo 4-1 and Mexican José Garza 4-1. In the semifinals, he narrowly lost to Costa Rican Joshua Núñez 3-2, but then won the bronze medal match against Honduran Kevin Armijo by the same score. "All hard work and effort has its reward. Thank God for not letting me give up after everything I've been through. Every drop of sweat and tears... today had their retribution. Thank you to my family, my dojo @shitoryu.pay, and everyone who always supports me," Edgardo shared on social media.
