The sport's progress in the Americas was top of the agenda of the PKF's Congress and Executive Committee meetings held in Costa Rica.

The country also staged this year's PKF Senior Championships which saw Chile top the medals table with seven golds, four silvers, and four bronzes.

The classification process for the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games, due to take place from October 20 to November 5, was also discussed at the meetings.

The last places for the multi-sport event were awarded in Costa Rica.

"The progress of karate in the Americas over the last few years has been unmistakable, and the popularity of our sport in the region continues growing, especially at young ages," Espinós said.

"However, we should not be complacent, and we should set our minds on taking Karate to new heights of development, notably in the celebration of major events in the region.

"Now that our sport in the Americas is heading to the Pan American Games in Chile, we have a new chance to showcase the strength of our sport and the tremendous added value that karate brings to multi-sport events of the Olympic cycle.

"I want to thank the PKF and its President Jose Garcia Maañón for their efforts to continue making the most of the opportunities to develop karate in the region."

Karate first featured at the 1995 Pan American Games at Mar del Plata in Argentina and since then the United States has been the most successful nation with 14 gold medals.

In Santiago, karate is due to take place at the Centro de Entrenamiento de los Deportes de Contacto in the National Sports Stadium Park.