The Venezuelan faced the challenge of his compatriot Cleiver Casanova in the final, with the two-time world champion ultimately claiming victory.

Diaz, as well as continuing his domination of the men's kata event at the Championship, celebrated his 15th Pan American crown.

Nykolai Josef Arango Soto of Dominican Republic and Canada's Kenneth Lee earned bronze medals.

Sakura Kokumai successful defended her women's kata title for the second straight year, as the American beat Maria Dimitrova of Dominican Republic in a rematch of last year's gold medal contest.

Peru's Ingrid Aranda and Venezuela's Andrea Armada Ruiz completed the podium places.

Brazil's two-time world champion Douglas Brose secured a fourth straight men's 60 kilogram kumite title, as he defeated Colombian national champion Andres Rendon in a repeat of last year's final.

Nicolas Bisson of Canada and Mateo Gaviria of Colombia claimed bronze.

There was further success for Brazil when Valeria Kumikazi won the women's under-55kg kumite final.

The World Championship silver medallist beat Cuba's Baurelys Torres, while Colombia's Stella Urango and Venezuela's Yorgelis Salazar Camacho took bronze.

Colombia's Luis Trivino achieved an upset in the men's under 67kg kumite final, after defeating Venezuela’s Andres Madera, the Karate 1-Premier League winner in Paris.

Chile's Camilo Velozo and Mexico’s Daniel Vargas secured bronze medals.

Colombia also celebrated gold in the women's over 68kg kumite event, with Shanee Torres overcoming Mexico's Isabel ana Mendoza.

Bronze medals were claimed by Pamela Ogando Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic and Brazil's Isabela Rodrigues.