Dominican Dimitrova wins sixth straight karate gold

Dominican karateka Maria Dimitrova secured her sixth consecutive gold medal in kata at the Central American and Caribbean Games, delivering an impeccable performance against Colombia's Valentina Zapata with a 5-0 score. The victory came in front of her home crowd in Santo Domingo, a moment she described as deeply meaningful.

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I am extremely proud and happy to win this gold in front of my people, in my country. Every edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games is important, but nothing compares to this. It is an honor to have you all in the stands and feel that warmth that drives us to give our best.

"I am extremely proud and happy to win this gold in front of my people, in my country. Every edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games is important, but nothing compares to this," Dimitrova told EFE after her win. "It is an honor to have you all in the stands and feel that warmth that drives us to give our best."

Dimitrova, who began her winning streak in Cartagena in 2006, celebrated with her coach and husband, former Olympic champion Félix Sánchez. This event signifies her official retirement from individual kata, though she plans to compete in the team kata event next. "We hope to bring another medal," she added.

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Today I officially retire from individual kata, tomorrow I also do it in team kata. We hope to bring another medal more.

The athlete, of Bulgarian origin, shared that her preparation was challenging after giving birth to her second child a year ago. "It has been a long process, recovering the athletic level to compete internationally, but thank God we achieved good preparation, good sparring, and well, here are the results," she stated. She acknowledged her rival Zapata as a "tremendous athlete" destined to succeed her in regional kata.

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It has been a long process, recovering the athletic level to compete internationally, but thank God we achieved good preparation, good sparring, and well, here are the results.

Earlier in an interview, Dimitrova expressed her excitement about competing for her sixth consecutive gold medal in front of Dominicans. "I am leaving karate, but I will stay in karate. I am leaving the action and will continue teaching children and young people. It is a lifelong passion," she affirmed.

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I am leaving karate, but I will stay in karate. I am leaving the action and will continue teaching children and young people. It is a lifelong passion.