The first medallists were crowned at the Pan American Sambo Championships ©FIAS

Juan Montoya won gold for hosts Colombia on day one of the Pan American Sambo Championships, as Costa Rica, Mexico and United States all claimed a hat-trick of titles each.

Montoya won the men's 79 kilograms combat sambo division to ensure the home team had something to celebrate as the event in Villavicencio opened.

The action at the Table Tennis Coliseum Idermeta included women's competitions in combat sambo - a discipline usually reserved for only men.

Costa Rica's treble of wins included Pablo Fallas in the men's 58kg and Reina Cordoba in the women's 59kg.

Nicole Castro was triumphant in the women's 72kg.

The Americans celebrated victories for Wojciech Szulinski in the men's 88kg, Ike Okoli in the men's over-98kg and Zaccharia Haynes in the men's 64kg combat.

Twelve gold medals were decided on day one of the event ©FIAS
Twelve gold medals were decided on day one of the event ©FIAS

Mexico's winners were Martha Rodriguez in the women's 50kg, Osvaldo Ruiz in the men's 98kg combat and Mirari Escobar in the women's 54kg combat.

Venezuela won two gold medals - courtesy of Sandy Mijares in the men's 71kg and Rimarys Carrasquel in the women's 65kg combat.

The Championships are due to continue in Villavicencio tomorrow.

On the final day (Sunday), the action will move to the sand for beach sambo competitions at Bosconia Hotel Court.

Colombia was due to host the Championships last year, before the coronavirus pandemic forced a one-year postponement.