USA Kumite head coach Dustin Baldis, chief instructor at the Pennsylvania Shotokan Karate Club in Level Green, took part in dozens of international competitions during his days as an athlete.

He sometimes finds coaching to be harder.

“It tends to be a little stressful based on wanting each and every athlete to have the ultimate success,” Baldis said.

Two of the athletes Baldis trains certainly had plenty of succeess at the Pan American Karate Championships in Punta Del Este, Uruguay from May 22-25.

Riley Smith, a Franklin Regional graduate, and California native Adam Kraus represented Team USA in the individual and team kumite divisions.

The kumite team won gold at the World Karate Federation Team World Championships. Over 24 countries competed, with the top three advancing to the world championships. The United States improved from the silver medal it earned in Costa Rica last year.

In February, Smith and Kraus qualified for the national team during trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Baldis, a Penn-Trafford graduate, had high praise for both and was appreciative that two athletes he trains regularly had the opportunity to excel on one of the biggest stages in the karate world.

“Both are elite athletes. The work ethic and attention to detail has given them the best opportunity for success,” Baldis said.

In the first round of the individual kumite tournament, Smith and Kraus fought valiantly in defeat. Smith lost in a tiebreaker after battling to a 4-4 draw against Santiago Vega from Columbia in the 75 kg division. Meanwhile, in the 67 kg division, Kraus lost 11-5 to Fred Porano from Ecuador, who reached the quarterfinals.

The team kumite tournament saw better results for Team USA’s athletes. After a first-round bye, the Americans swept Guatemala, 3-0, which set up a pivotal match against Argentina.

While Smith and Kraus lost in the individual kumite competition, Smith stepped up when Thomas Scott, who won the 75 kg division, was injured in the team kumite semifinals.

“Riley competed in all the matches and performed great, winning a match and a crucial point during the semifinals after our captain went down with an injury,” Baldis said.

Smith’s victory propelled Team USA to a 3-2 match win, which secured the Americans a spot in the finals. Against Brazil, the United States performed its best when it needed to most in a 3-1 victory to claim gold.

Partially thanks to Smith’s efforts, the gold medal marked a major milestone in the history of USA karate. Along with the men’s team, the women’s team also won gold. This marked the first time that both men’s and women’s teams took gold in the same year.

“It was the first time in 27 years that the men’s team took gold. The last time, in 1997, I was the deciding match in the semi and finals,” Baldis said. “So, it was very special for me to be the coach in the chair for this historic moment.”

Additionally, the United States recorded the highest medal count among competing countries, taking home six gold medals, two silvers and seven bronzes.

Team USA will advance to the inaugural WKF Team World Championships, where Kraus will be a member of the team that competes in Pamplona, Spain this November. Smith will step away from competitive karate to focus on his education.

Teams from 32 countries will compete for a chance at the world title. That is down from the typical number of over 100 entries (because of the prerequisite of qualifying through a regional tournament), ensuring that each match will feature top quality athletes.

“This makes the field even tougher, but we are No. 1 coming out of the Pan American Karate Federation,” Baldis said. “We are very excited for this opportunity.”

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