Belize competes in Ibero-American Karate Championship

In other sports news, a team of karatekas visiting Nicaragua for the fourth Ibero-American Karate Championships were honored in the capital city of Managua where they met President Daniel Ortega.  The tournament sees international participation by Spain and Latin American countries and was attended by a delegation from the Belize Karate Federation, which included Asha Pastor as well as a pair of judges and referees.  Pastor placed fourth overall in the female kata, losing to Mabel Cardenas of Mexico who would eventually go on to win the gold medal.  Mexico and the Dominican Republic both finished first while Venezuela came in second and El Salvador third.  Belize was invited to the Ibero-American Karate Championships in part because it is the only English speaking country in Central America where Spanish is also widely spoken.