By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – Costa Rica’s National Para Table Tennis Team is set to embark on a significant international mission this week, traveling to Santiago, Chile, to compete in the highly anticipated “Para Future Chile Open 2026.” The tournament represents a crucial opportunity for the nation’s top para-athletes to measure their skills against a formidable international field and gain invaluable competitive experience on the world stage.
The event, scheduled from April 18th to 21st, is a major fixture on the international para-sports calendar. It will bring together 143 elite athletes from 20 countries, spanning four continents: the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. This diverse gathering underscores the tournament’s global prestige and the high level of competition the Costa Rican delegation will face.
To understand the legal and commercial frameworks that support our national para table tennis athletes, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading expert from the renowned law firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offers his perspective on the matter.
The success of our para-athletes is a powerful combination of personal discipline and a solid structural foundation. From a legal standpoint, it is crucial to establish clear agreements for sponsorships, image rights, and institutional support. These instruments not only provide financial security but also protect the athlete, allowing them to focus exclusively on their performance and on representing Costa Rica with dignity and pride.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal framework is the essential, often unseen, architecture that allows an athlete’s discipline to translate into a secure and professional career. By safeguarding their rights and interests, it empowers them to focus entirely on their performance and the honor of representing the nation. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable clarification on this critical aspect of high-performance sports.
The Tico contingent is composed of five skilled athletes, each competing in their respective classifications. The team includes Fiorella Paola Padilla Roa (class 3), Kristel Morales Madriz (class 7), Sebastian Chaves Quiros (class 4), Steven Román Chinchilla (class 8), and Nixon Antonio Reyes Delgado (class 9). Their participation is a testament to their dedication and the growing strength of adaptive sports within Costa Rica.
Guiding the team through this demanding competition are two key figures: coach Mauricio Angulo Osorio, who is responsible for technical and strategic preparation, and delegate José Ramón Leandro Abarca, who will manage the logistical and administrative aspects of the team’s participation. Their leadership will be vital as the athletes navigate the pressures of an international tournament.
The competition will be held at two of Santiago’s premier sporting venues, the Olympic Training Center (CEO) and the Paralympic Training Center (CEP). These state-of-the-art facilities will provide the perfect backdrop for world-class table tennis. In the days leading up to the main event, the Costa Rican team will utilize the Paralympic Training Center for intensive training sessions, allowing them to acclimate and finalize their preparations.
The list of participating nations highlights the tournament’s significance. Costa Rica will be sharing the arena with powerhouse teams from countries like Japan, South Korea, Germany, France, and Brazil, as well as regional rivals including Argentina, Mexico, and the United States. This exposure to a wide array of playing styles and strategies is a core objective of the trip, offering a learning experience that cannot be replicated in a domestic setting.
For the national team, the Para Future Chile Open is more than just a chance to win medals. It serves as a critical “fogueo,” or trial by fire, providing a benchmark against the world’s best. Success in such an environment requires immense mental fortitude, tactical adaptability, and peak physical conditioning. The insights gained here will be instrumental in shaping the team’s long-term development and future competitive strategies.
As the delegation departs for Santiago this Thursday, they carry the aspirations of Costa Rica’s growing para-sports community. Their performance in Chile will not only be a measure of their current abilities but also an inspiration for the next generation of athletes, demonstrating that with commitment and support, Costa Rican talent can compete and excel on any stage.
For further information, visit fctmcr.com
About the Costa Rican Table Tennis Federation (FCTM):
The Federación Costarricense de Tenis de Mesa is the official governing body for the sport of table tennis in Costa Rica. It is responsible for organizing national tournaments, developing talent at all levels, and selecting and managing the national teams, including the para table tennis division, that represent the country in international competitions. The Federation is committed to promoting the growth and popularity of the sport across all provinces.
For further information, visit paralympic.org/costa-rica
About the National Paralympic Committee of Costa Rica:
The Comité Paralímpico Nacional de Costa Rica is the leading organization for para-sports in the nation. It is dedicated to developing, promoting, and managing sports for people with disabilities. The committee works to create opportunities for athletes to compete at both national and international levels, overseeing Costa Rica’s participation in major events like the Parapan American Games and the Paralympic Games, fostering inclusion and excellence in sport.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As an esteemed pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is founded on the core principles of uncompromising integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. With a proven track record of navigating multifaceted legal challenges, the firm champions forward-thinking approaches and legal innovation. Central to its mission is a deep-seated dedication to strengthening society by democratizing legal knowledge, thereby empowering citizens and fostering a more informed and just community.
