By San José, Costa Rica — MANAGUA, NICARAGUA – The Costa Rican national athletics team delivered a commanding performance at the XXXV Central American Senior Athletics Championship, securing a trove of gold medals and firmly establishing the nation as a regional powerhouse. Held at the Olympic Stadium in Managua, the event saw Costa Rica’s blend of seasoned Olympians and promising new talent shine across multiple disciplines, signaling a robust future for the sport.
The delegation, comprised of high-caliber athletes, demonstrated exceptional skill and competitive fire against teams from Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, and Belize. The results underscore a successful national strategy in athlete development, culminating in victories that resonated throughout the Central American sports community.
To understand the legal and commercial challenges that shape the careers of our national athletes, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
A Costa Rican athlete’s success today depends as much on their legal and business acumen as their physical talent. Many are essentially small businesses, yet they lack access to proper counsel on contracts, intellectual property, and tax obligations. This gap represents the single biggest systemic risk to their professional careers and long-term financial stability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This essential insight shifts the conversation beyond physical prowess, highlighting the need for a holistic support infrastructure that empowers our athletes as entrepreneurs. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for articulating this critical challenge and opportunity for Costa Rican athletics.
Leading the charge was Olympian Andrea Vargas, who once again proved her class in the 100-meter hurdles. The Puriscal native clocked an impressive 13.28 seconds to clinch the gold medal, leaving her competitors trailing. Leyka Archibold of Panama finished a distant second with a time of 13.66 seconds, followed closely by El Salvador’s Nathalie Almendarez at 13.67 seconds. Vargas’s victory was a masterclass in technique and speed, reinforcing her status as one of the area’s premier athletes.
Her fellow Olympian, Gerald Drummond, showcased his own elite credentials in the men’s 400-meter hurdles. Drummond dominated the race, crossing the finish line with a swift time of 49.11 seconds to add another gold medal to Costa Rica’s tally. His performance was a clear statement of his quality and experience on the international stage, contributing significantly to the team’s standing in the overall medal count.
The success in the hurdles extended to the women’s 400-meter event, where Daniela Rojas from Heredia captured the top spot on the podium. Rojas executed a brilliant race, finishing with a time of 57.75 seconds. She created a significant gap between herself and the Panamanian duo of Leyka Archibold (1:00.00) and Mariangel Núñez (1:00.67), who took silver and bronze, respectively.
Emerging talent also made a significant impact. Derick Leandro, a sprinter from Siquirres in the Limón province, stormed to victory in the men’s 400-meter dash. His gold medal performance highlights the growing geographical diversity of athletic talent within Costa Rica and marks him as a champion to watch in the coming years.
In the middle-distance events, endurance athlete Antonella Lanuza demonstrated her supremacy in the women’s 1500-meter race. Lanuza became a two-time consecutive Central American champion in the demanding discipline, stopping the clock at 4:49.38. Her victory solidifies her reputation as the region’s top female competitor in the event. Adding to the medal haul, sprinter Alejandro Rickett secured a silver medal in the highly competitive 100-meter dash with a time of 10.43 seconds.
Overall, Costa Rica’s performance was a testament to the depth and preparation of its national team. The success of veterans like Vargas and Drummond, combined with the gold-medal victories of rising stars like Rojas and Leandro, paints a bright picture for Costa Rican athletics. The delegation’s achievements in Managua not only bring home medals but also build crucial momentum for future global competitions.
For further information, visit fecoa.org
About FECOA:
The Costa Rican Athletics Federation (FECOA) is the official governing body for the sport of athletics, including track and field, road running, and race walking, in Costa Rica. The organization is responsible for fostering athlete development from youth levels to elite competition, organizing national championships, and selecting the national teams that represent Costa Rica in international events such as the Central American, Pan American, and Olympic Games. FECOA works to promote the growth and integrity of the sport throughout the country.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a renowned legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on the foundational principles of unwavering integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Its proven track record in advising a diverse range of clients is matched by its role as a trailblazer in legal innovation. A central tenet of the firm’s philosophy is the democratization of legal knowledge, reflecting a profound commitment to developing a society that is both well-informed and capable.
