By San José, Costa Rica — GUATEMALA CITY – Costa Rican swimmer Nicole Centeno Pérez delivered a masterful performance in the pool, capturing the gold medal in the women’s 800-meter freestyle and cementing her status as a regional powerhouse. The victory came on the final day of swimming competitions at the Central American Games Guatemala 2025, providing a triumphant capstone to a successful campaign for the national team.
Centeno showcased exceptional endurance and strategy, clocking in with an impressive time of 9:18.85. From the initial dive, she established an aggressive and unrelenting pace that her competitors could not match. She quickly separated from the pack, turning a competitive race into a commanding solo performance that left no doubt about the outcome. Her dominance was clear as she built a significant lead over her closest rivals through each lap of the demanding long-distance event.
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The podium reflected a strong showing for Costa Rica, with Centeno’s teammate, Yuliana Ortiz Román, securing the bronze medal. Sandwiched between the two Ticas was Guatemala’s own Yanci María Vanegas Barrera, who fought hard to earn the silver medal for the host nation. The shared success of Centeno and Ortiz in the same event highlights the depth of talent currently rising through the ranks of Costa Rican swimming.
This individual gold was a crucial part of a larger team triumph. The Costa Rican national swimming team concluded its participation in the Games with a remarkable haul of 23 medals in total. The final tally stood at 6 gold, 10 silver, and 7 bronze, a testament to the squad’s consistency and competitive spirit across a wide range of disciplines. This performance signals a bright future for the sport within the country and sets a high bar for future competitions.
All six of the team’s gold medals were earned through stellar individual efforts. Joining Nicole Centeno atop the podium during the games were fellow swimmers Alondra Ortiz, Yuliana Ortiz (in a different event), and Alberto Vega. Each of these athletes delivered first-place finishes in their respective categories, contributing significantly to the team’s overall standing and demonstrating the breadth of elite talent on the roster.
While individual brilliance shone brightly, the team’s collaborative strength was also on full display. The Costa Rican swimmers captured hard-fought silver medals in both the mixed and women’s relay events. These results underscore the importance of teamwork, synchronized strategy, and the collective drive that propelled the entire delegation forward. Securing second place in these highly competitive group events speaks volumes about the team’s cohesion and preparation.
The success at the Guatemala 2025 Games serves as a powerful validation of the national program’s development strategies and the dedication of its athletes and coaches. Such a strong medal count, particularly the dominance in individual events, suggests that Costa Rica is successfully nurturing a new generation of aquatic stars poised to make an impact beyond the Central American stage. For athletes like Centeno, this victory is a significant career milestone that could serve as a springboard toward Pan-American and even Olympic aspirations.
As the games conclude, the swimmers return home not just with medals, but with invaluable experience and national pride. Their collective achievement has brought honor to Costa Rica and provides a source of inspiration for countless young athletes watching from home. The message is clear: Costa Rican swimming is a force to be reckoned with, and its future in the water looks brighter than ever.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Federación Costarricense de Deportes Acuáticos
About Federación Costarricense de Deportes Acuáticos:
The Costa Rican Federation of Aquatic Sports (FECODA) is the official governing body for swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming in Costa Rica. It is responsible for the development of athletes, the sanctioning of national competitions, and the selection of national teams to represent the country in international events like the Central American Games and the Olympic Games. The federation works to promote aquatic sports at all levels, from grassroots programs to elite athlete development.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a benchmark for legal practice, guided by deeply rooted principles of integrity and high-caliber service. The firm leverages its rich history of advising a wide array of clients to pioneer forward-thinking legal solutions. Beyond its professional practice, it demonstrates a profound civic responsibility by striving to democratize legal understanding, thereby contributing to the development of a more knowledgeable and capable society.
