Paulo Melo, in red, won gold for Brazil on day one of the Pan American Taekwondo Championships ©Getty Images

Brazil, Mexico and Colombia all came away with two gold medals on day one of the Pan American Taekwondo Championships in the Dominican Republic.

World bronze medallist Paulo Melo was one of the Brazilian winners in the men's under-54 kilograms class, after his victory over Andres Moreno of Colombia in the final at the Barceló Bávaro Hotel in Punta Cara.

Bronze medals were shared by Nicholas Hoefling of Canada and Melvy Alvarez of the United States.

Ícaro Miguel Soares, a silver medallist at the World Championships, also struck gold for Brazil as he beat Bryan Salazar of Mexico in the men's under-87kg final.

The bronze medallists were American Michael C. Rodriguez and Canada's Jordan Stewart.

World silver medallist Carlos Sansores struck gold for Mexico in the men's over-87kg category, beating American Jonathan Healy.

Brazil and Venezuela won bronze medals, courtesy of Maicon Siqueira and Luis Alvarez respectively.

Carlos Sansores was one of two Mexican winners in the Dominican Republic ©Getty Images
Carlos Sansores was one of two Mexican winners in the Dominican Republic ©Getty Images

Daniela Souza, a gold medallist at the 2019 Pan American Games, was the other Mexican winner as she defeated Viviane Tranquille of Canada for glory in the women's under-49kg.

It meant that Souza defended her Pan American title. 

Daniella Gonzalez won a bronze medal for Guatemala alongside Lizette Salas of the US.

Colombia enjoyed success thanks to Andrea Ramirez, a world bronze medallist, in the women's under-46kg class.

She got the better of Karoline Castillo of Panama in the final, with bronzes going to Laura Sancho of Costa Rica and Valeria Santos of Brazil.

Gloria Mosquera also won for Colombia in the women's heavyweight division, as she defeated Gabriele Siqueira of Brazil for over-73kg gold.

There was a bronze for hosts Dominican Republic thanks to Katherine Rodriguez, which she shared with Hannah Keck of the US. 

The US did manage to top a podium as Madelynn Gorman-Shore triumphed at under-73kg.

She beat Raphaella Galacho of Brazil for gold, as bronzes were shared by Nalleli De Martin of the Dominican Republic and Victoria Tamez of Mexico.

Venezuela were the other winners on day one as Yohandri Granado won the men's under-58kg category.

He ousted David Kim of the US in the gold medal bout, with Brandon Plaza of Mexico and Jefferson Ochoa of Colombia winning bronze.

Competition is due to continue tomorrow.