PBC's, Julio Velazquez Strikes Gold at Championships making him 5th in the World
Updated: Sep 18
Susie Giraldo For Immediate Release
Palm Beach Karate School
561-385-3537
info@palmbeachkarateschool.com
Palm Beach County's Julio Velazquez Strikes Gold at 2023 Karate Junior Pan-American Championships, Now #5 in the World
West Palm Beach, Florida—Julio Velazquez secured a gold medal victory at the 2023 Karate Junior Pan-American Championships in Santiago, Chile, on August 26, 2023. Velazquez proudly represented both Palm Beach County and the United States as a member of the USA Karate Team. His remarkable achievement came after successfully navigating four rounds of intense competition, facing opponents from Canada, Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela. This historic win marks a significant milestone for Palm Beach Karate, as it represents their highest standing in a world-class tournament to date. Julio's gold medal performance now positions him 5th globally in his division and weight class.
The Junior Pan American tournament is an annual event organized by the World Karate Federation, drawing world-class athletes from all over the Americas.
The last time Ken Shin Kan was invited to the Junior Pan American Games was in 2022 when Gabriela Navarrete and Kevin Cruz both got 3rd place.
Earlier in the summer, five promising young athletes—Kevin Cruz, Bryan Cruz, Gabriela Navarrete, Luca Serafimovich, and Julio Velazquez—secured coveted spots on Jr. Team USA by achieving either 1st or 2nd place at the USA Karate Nationals held in Richmond, Virginia.
Palm Beach Karate School, a traditional karate studio located in West Palm Beach, places a strong emphasis on active tournament participation. The competitive team at PBK consists of dedicated and passionate students who have relentlessly pursued their goals since the school's inception in 1996. The journey began in 2015 when Matias Nicolopulous became the school's first qualified athlete, followed by Christian Moncada the following year. Alex Jinesta, co-owner and head coach of the team, boasts an impressive record as a 3-time Team USA member, representing the USA in various Pan American Championships and World Championships.
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