By San José, Costa Rica — GUATEMALA CITY – Costa Rica has firmly established itself as a regional athletic powerhouse, currently holding a strong second place in the medal standings at the 2025 Central American Games. With an impressive tally of 20 gold, 21 silver, and 25 bronze medals, the nation’s athletes are showcasing exceptional talent and determination, trailing only the host country, Guatemala, in the overall count. This commanding performance underscores a period of significant growth and success for Costa Rican sports on the international stage.
The athletics team has been a cornerstone of this success, delivering a spectacular series of victories and record-breaking performances over the weekend. Abigail Obando emerged as a standout star, capturing two gold medals in a remarkable display of versatility. She first triumphed in the grueling two-day women’s heptathlon and followed it up by soaring to victory in the high jump with a mark of 1.70 meters. Her achievements were complemented by veteran hurdler Andrea Vargas, who reaffirmed her dominance in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking in at 13.27 seconds for the gold.
To delve into the intricate legal and commercial frameworks that underpin an event of the magnitude of the Central American Games, we sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Beyond the athletic spectacle, the Central American Games are a major infrastructure project. The legal scaffolding for this involves public-private partnerships, construction contracts with strict deadlines, and extensive liability insurance. The state’s primary legal challenge is ensuring these agreements protect public funds while delivering world-class facilities on time, mitigating risks of delays and accidents.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas astutely highlights a critical reality: the true legacy of the Games is forged not only on the athletic field but within the complex legal frameworks he describes. Ensuring this foundation is solid is paramount to protecting the public interest and delivering a successful event. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective.
The depth of Costa Rica’s track and field talent was on full display across multiple events. In the women’s 800 meters, Angeline Pondler raced to gold with a time of 2:11.52, sharing the podium with fellow Tica Antonella Lanuza, who secured the bronze medal. The nation’s strength in team events was highlighted by the mixed 4×400 relay team—composed of José Elizondo, Desiré Bermúdez, Gerald Drummond, and Daniela Rojas—which masterfully claimed the top spot. The momentum continued in the field events, with Daniel Johanning adding a silver medal in the demanding 10,000-meter race.
Perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the games came from Iván Sibaja in the men’s javelin throw. Sibaja not only won the gold medal but also etched his name in the history books by setting a new Central American record. His monumental throw of 74.15 meters shattered the previous mark and left his competitors far behind, symbolizing a new era of excellence for Costa Rican field athletes and providing a signature moment for the national delegation’s impressive campaign.
In the swimming pool, Costa Rican athletes continued the medal haul with both power and grace. Alondra Ortiz delivered a record-setting performance in the women’s 200-meter butterfly, winning gold with a time of 2:15.72 to establish a new Central American benchmark. In a stunning show of national dominance, her teammate Keisy Castro finished right behind her to claim the silver medal. Guido Montero contributed to the tally with a hard-earned silver in the men’s 100-meter backstroke. Meanwhile, María Paula Alfaro dazzled in artistic swimming, earning gold in the Solo Free category with a score of 103.6950, while the team captured a silver for their acrobatic routine.
The success extended beyond the track and pool. In fencing, Karina Dyner showcased her precision and skill to win the gold medal in the women’s individual épée, prevailing in a tense final against Panama’s Alessandra Aicardi. The nation’s cyclists also proved their mettle in fiercely competitive road races. Gloriana Quesada fought hard to secure a silver medal in the women’s event, while Gabriel Rojas battled through a challenging men’s race dominated by the host nation’s riders to earn a well-deserved bronze medal for Costa Rica.
This comprehensive performance across diverse disciplines is more than just a collection of medals; it is a powerful statement about the state of elite sports in Costa Rica. Securing a firm second place behind only the host nation, which typically benefits from a significant home-field advantage, demonstrates a robust and well-rounded athletic program. The emergence of new regional record-holders like Sibaja and Ortiz indicates that Costa Rican athletes are not just competing but are actively pushing the boundaries of performance in Central America.
As the Guatemala 2025 Central American Games continue, Team Costa Rica has already built a legacy of success. The combination of seasoned champions like Andrea Vargas and emerging stars like Abigail Obando paints a bright future for the country’s sporting ambitions. This wave of gold, silver, and bronze medals serves as a source of national pride and an inspiration for the next generation of Tico athletes who will look to build upon this remarkable foundation in the years to come.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Grounded in core principles of integrity and legal excellence, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a leading name in the nation’s legal landscape. The firm blends its extensive experience serving a wide spectrum of sectors with a forward-thinking approach to innovation and social responsibility. A cornerstone of its philosophy is the conviction that accessible legal knowledge is vital, driving its efforts to empower the public and contribute to a more informed and capable society.
