Jamaican martial artist Valentyna Zolotarova has claimed the bronze medal in the women’s 55kg kumite division at the 2025 Bolivarian Games, currently underway in Lima, Peru. Her podium finish marks another significant achievement in Jamaica’s emerging presence in international karate competitions.
Zolotarova’s path to bronze demonstrated remarkable resilience following a narrow 15-17 defeat to Peruvian hometown favorite Sofia Del Pilar Gomez Fuertes during the round robin stage. The Jamaican athlete strategically regrouped to secure a decisive 4-2 victory against Bolivia’s Luz Marlhin Roca and fought to a draw with El Salvador’s Hazel Sameidy Ramos Flores.
In the medal rounds, Zolotarova delivered a dominant performance against Chile’s Llanka Soraya Valdiva Soto, overwhelming her opponent with a commanding 9-1 scoreline. This victory secured her third-place position in the final standings, with gold medal honors going to Peru’s Gomez Fuertes and silver awarded to Venezuela’s Barbara Alexandra Perez Silva.
This accomplishment continues Zolotarova’s trailblazing career for Jamaican karate. In 2022, she made history by winning Jamaica’s first-ever women’s karate medal at the Commonwealth Karate Championships in Birmingham, England, where she also took bronze in the Under-55kg category.