Valentina Toro wins gold in karate at South American Games

Chilean karateka Valentina Toro won the gold medal in the kumite -55kg category at the 2026 South American Games in Santa Fe, Argentina. This victory marks a significant comeback for the 26-year-old athlete following a nine-month absence from competition.

Toro had been sidelined since November of the previous year after suffering a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee during the World Karate Championships in Cairo. Her return to the podium was achieved through a round-robin format, where she secured victories against Mariana Niñera of Colombia (5-0) and Sol Sandoval of Bolivia (7-1).

In the decisive match, Toro defeated Venezuela’s Bárbara Pérez with a score of 1-0 (yuko) to secure the gold. This achievement makes her a two-time South American champion.