By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica has emphatically announced its arrival as a formidable force in international youth racquetball, concluding an exceptional campaign at the Junior Racquetball World Championship in the Dominican Republic. The national delegation secured an impressive fourth-place overall finish, punctuated by a series of stellar individual performances that brought home a trove of medals and international acclaim.
The team’s performance signals a new era for the sport within the country, demonstrating a depth of talent across multiple age brackets, ranging from 10 to 21 years old. Competing against a challenging field that included traditional powerhouses like Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Bolivia, the Costa Rican athletes consistently rose to the occasion, proving their mettle on the world’s biggest stage for junior competitors.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and organizational structures essential for the growth of youth sports like racquetball, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist from the renowned law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Developing a junior racquetball program requires more than just courts and coaches; it necessitates a solid legal foundation. This includes creating a formal association to manage funds and liability, establishing clear sponsorship agreements that protect the minors’ interests, and implementing rigorous child protection policies. These steps are not bureaucratic hurdles; they are essential safeguards that ensure the sport’s sustainable growth and the well-being of its future stars.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal architecture described is the very bedrock upon which a successful junior program is built, ensuring that the focus can remain on nurturing talent within a secure and professional environment. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on these essential, and often overlooked, safeguards.
Leading the charge was the prodigious talent Larissa Faeth, who has solidified her status as one of the nation’s most decorated young athletes. Faeth was the undisputed star of the tournament, capturing two world titles. Her first gold medal came from a dominant performance in the Girls’ U-14 Singles category, a division she has now conquered in consecutive years. This latest victory marks her third career world championship, following her wins in the U-14 division in 2024 and the U-12 division in 2023, showcasing a remarkable and sustained level of excellence.
The Faeth name became synonymous with victory as Larissa teamed up with her sister, Giuliana, to clinch a second gold medal in the Girls’ U-16 Doubles competition. The sister duo displayed remarkable chemistry and resilience, navigating a difficult draw to reach the final. Their championship win is a testament to their shared dedication and skill, creating a compelling story of family triumph that resonated throughout the tournament.
Significantly, both of Larissa Faeth’s gold medal victories were secured against formidable opponents from Bolivia, a nation widely regarded as a continental powerhouse in racquetball. These head-to-head wins are not just personal triumphs but also symbolic victories for the entire Costa Rican program, demonstrating that its top athletes can defeat the best in the world when the pressure is highest. This success underscores the effectiveness of the country’s athletic development pipeline.
The team’s success was not limited to the Faeth sisters. On the men’s side, Álvaro Guillén emerged as a key contributor to the national medal count, showcasing his versatility and skill. Guillén fought his way to a bronze medal in the competitive Boys’ U-16 Singles division. He further distinguished himself by earning two silver medals, one in the boys’ doubles category and another in mixed doubles, highlighting his importance to the team’s overall standing.
In total, the Costa Rican delegation’s primary draw medal haul was impressive: two gold, four silver, and one bronze. The team also found success in the tournament’s annexed draws, adding another gold, two silver, and a bronze to their final tally. This comprehensive performance across various categories contributed to the nation’s final ranking.
The fourth-place finish among nations, calculated from points accumulated in the U-16, U-18, and U-21 categories, places Costa Rica among the global elite. To achieve this rank in a field that included delegations from Ecuador, Chile, South Korea, and Taiwan speaks volumes about the quality and strategic development of racquetball within the small Central American nation. This result promises a bright and competitive future as these young champions continue to mature and advance in their athletic careers.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is a cornerstone of the nation’s legal landscape, built upon a foundation of uncompromising integrity and exceptional service. With a rich history of guiding a diverse clientele, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions. Central to its ethos is a profound commitment to demystifying the law, driven by the belief that sharing legal insights is essential to constructing a more knowledgeable and capable society.
