Ottawa, Ontario – Karate Canada is proud to report that Team Canada concluded the 2026 Senior and Under-21 Pan American Karate Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (May 28–30) with 17 medals – 3 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze – marking the country’s best performance at this event in over a decade.

The result reflects the continued growth and depth of Canada’s high-performance karate program, with athletes competing at an elite level across both Kata and Kumite categories.

Canada’s 59-athlete delegation competed across Senior, U21, and Para categories over four days of competition, facing the top karatekas from across the Americas. From opening bouts to final podium moments, the team demonstrated the technical excellence, fighting spirit, and resilience that have come to define Canadian karate on the international stage.

The medal count was spread across multiple weight categories and disciplines – a testament to the breadth of talent within the national program and the strength of Canada’s athlete development pathway.

“This was an outstanding week for Karate Canada,” said Rodney Hobson, KC Sport Technical Leader.” To come away with 17 medals – our best result at the Pan American Championships in almost ten years is a true reflection of the hard work our athletes and coaches put in every single day. We couldn’t be prouder of this team and what they accomplished in Rio.”

With momentum building heading into the second half of the international competitive season, Karate Canada looks forward to continued strong performances on the world stage. Full results from the 2026 Pan American Championships are available at karatecanada.org.

Karate Canada extends its sincere congratulations to all athletes, coaches, and support staff, as well as to the families and clubs who supported the team throughout their journey.