Aracena wins Central American Games kata gold for Dominican Republic

Larry Aracena secured the gold medal in the men's kata event at the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He defeated Guatemala's Fernando Calderón 3-2 in a closely contested final, earning the host nation its second consecutive gold medal in the forms competition.

Aracena's triumph came shortly after María Dimitrova clinched the women's kata title, completing a historic double for the Dominican Republic in this discipline. The 26-year-old athlete showcased a consistent and strong performance throughout the day. He began his campaign with a 4-1 victory over Puerto Rico's Ángel Cancel, followed by a decisive 5-0 win against Cuba's Víctor Sánchez. In the semifinals, he defeated Costa Rica's Joshua Núñez 4-1 to advance to the gold medal match.

The final against Calderón was a tight affair, with Aracena ultimately prevailing by a 3-2 margin. This victory reaffirms Aracena's status as a leading figure in the sport within the region and adds another significant gold medal to the Dominican delegation's tally at the Games.