The 35-year-old veteran, considered one of the all-time greats in the sport, wrapped up his 14th overall title with victory over compatriot Cleiver Casanova in the final.

The two bronze medals on offer in the category went to Canada’s Kenneth Lee and Joseph Martinez of the United States.

Mexico were the best performing nation on day one in the 2016 Olympic Games host city as Merilella Arreola topped the podium in the women’s under 61 kilograms kumite category, while Jessica Paola Padilla took the under 68kg kumite honours.

Arreola proved too strong for compatriot Paula Ivonne Flores in her final clash to earn her first continental title since the 2013 event in Argentina.

Bronze medals in the category were gained by Chile’s Lavin Gonzalez and Gabriela Lopez of Peru.

Padilla was also in superb form as she sealed the under 68kg crown by overcoming team-mate Sachiko Ramos in the showpiece finale.

Home hope Bianca Mafra and Marianth Cuervo of Venezuela were the recipients of the bronze medals.

Elsewhere, it proved to be a day of surprises as Wellington Barbosa of Brazil suffered a shock defeat to Rodrigo Rojas of Chile in the final of the over 84kg category.

Victor Carbajal added to the Mexican haul as he claimed bronze along with Argentina’s Franco Recouso.

Brazil’s Hernani Verissimo clinched his first senior title at Pan American Karate Championships level with victory over Venezuelan Alexander Nicastro in the final of the under 75kg kumite discipline, while bronze medals were won by Dionicio Gustavo of the Dominican Republic and American karateka Thomas Scott.

The US were able to finish day one with gold as Sakura Kokomai ousted Maria Dimitrova of the Dominican Republic to win the women’s kata event.

Dimitrova’s fellow Dominican Franchel Velazquez and Xatzi Y. Trujillo of Mexico picked up bronze.

The action in Rio continues tomorrow.