The Brazilian competitor proved too strong for his opponents at the World Trade Center to keep his hopes of another continental crown alive.

Verissimo beat Chile's German Charpentier in his first bout as he emerged on the right side of a 2-0 scoreline.

However, he was given a much sterner test in his second match as he squeezed past Franco Recouso of Argentina.

The two karatekas were involved in a hard-fought contest and were locked at 2-2 before Verissimo was judged to have edged it.

Juan Landazury of Colombia will take on the Brazilian in the gold medal bout after he also reached the final.

Landazury caused a huge shock on his way to the showpiece clash in the weight division as he beat American Thomas Scott, bronze medallist at last year's competition in Rio de Janeiro.

There was further success for the Venezuelan team as Freddy Valera booked his place in the final of the men's under 84kg kumite class.

Valera, the 2016 junior and cadet champion, faces a tough ask if he is to top the podium as he will go up against defending champion Jorge Perez of Dominican Republic.

Perez, who ousted Miguel Amargos of Argentina in his semi-final, will bid to earn a second consecutive Pan American title.

Newcomers Carolina Dayana Videla of Chile and Colombia’s Steffany Medina will meet for the gold medal in the women's under 61kg kumite division after both enjoyed surprise runs to the final.

There were also a number shock results in the women's under 68kg kumite event, where Mexico’s Sachiko Ramos and Ashley Davis of the US will clash for the crown.

The event continues tomorrow with preliminary round action in the other weight divisions.