25 years of glories and conquests on tatami mats around the world have come to an end.
Sensei Antonio Díaz ended his sports career this Friday in Tokyo 2020, being the fifth best Kata exponent in the world.
In the house of martial arts, the mythical Nippon Budokan, the Venezuelan played his last competition, an Olympic final.
In the fight for bronze, Díaz - 41 years old - showed precision, speed, self-control and concentration. His last kata, the Chatanyara Kushanku, received a score of 26.34.
However, the American Ariel Torres took the medal by finishing with 26.72 points.
Filled with gratitude and teary-eyed, Antonio left the tatami and competitions, giving Venezuela its sixth Olympic diploma at the Japanese event.
"I am happy to have participated in the Olympic Games ... There could not be a better place, a better opportunity to do that last kata," he commented after the competition.
"Unfortunately the medal could not be obtained, but I enjoyed the whole tournament, from the beginning to the end," he added.
Antonio's experience, high level and immense passion also closed the performance of the Venezuelan delegation in this highest event in sport, the best in its history.
In total, Venezuela takes home:
Gold with Yulimar Rojas (Triple Jump)
3 silver medals with Daniel Dhers (BMX freestyle), Keydomar Vallenilla and Julio Mayora (Weightlifting)
6 diplomas with Anriquelis Barrios (Judo), Yusleidy Figueroa and Naryury Pérez (Weightlifting), Robeilys Peinado (Pole vault), Claudymar Garcés and Antonio Díaz (Karate).
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