Costa Rica Embarks on the Parapan American Games Santiago 2023 with Table Tennis

Costa Rica Sets Off for Athletic Triumph in Santiago

The Parapan American Games Santiago 2023 are set to commence, featuring a strong contingent of 29 Costa Rican athletes. The event, eagerly awaited by sports enthusiasts and athletes alike, will officially kick off this Friday, November 17, at the National Stadium of Santiago. The Costa Rican delegation is gearing up to start their journey in this prestigious event with the para table tennis tournament, marking the country’s first foray into the games.

Costa Rican Athletes Ready for Table Tennis Challenges

Para table tennis, the opening event for Costa Rica, will see eight talented athletes representing the nation. The competition, spread over five days, will include individual, doubles, and mixed categories. The matches are scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. at the CEO Olímpico in Santiago, with athletes vying for advancement to the semifinals.

In the women’s division, Costa Rica will be represented by Aneth Araya Alvarez, Fiorela Paola Padilla, and Kristel Morales Madriz. The men’s team comprises Steven Román Chinchilla, Domingo Argüello García, José Andrés Vargas, Sebastián Chávez, and Nixon Reyes. Journalist Olman Mora shared these details in a press release.

Steven Román: A Beacon of Hope for Costa Rica

Steven Román, a standout athlete who clinched the bronze medal in the previous Parapan American Games in Lima 2019, is set to compete in his second continental games. He is a significant medal hopeful for Costa Rica in Santiago 2023. The team, under the guidance of coach Luis Fernando Carvallo, conducted their final training session on Wednesday, gearing up for the upcoming challenges.

A Broad Spectrum of Competing Nations

The para table tennis event will see participation from 18 countries, each aiming for gold, silver, and bronze medals. These nations include Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, the United States, El Salvador, Guyana, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Costa Rica.

The Costa Rican Paralympic Contingent in Chile

The current Costa Rican squad in Chile includes parathletes Valeria Valverde, Adriana Quesada, José Pablo Gil, and Steven Enriquez from wheelchair tennis, Pilar Riveros and Diego Quesada from para archery, and the para cyclists Henry Raabe and Leonel Solís. Also present in the Village are para swimmers Camila Haase, Esteban Zamora, Neythan Alfaro, and Paola Aranda from shooting sports.

Upcoming Arrivals and Events

The para athletics delegation, led by Paralympic champion Sherman Guity, will arrive in Santiago on Thursday, November 16. The following week, the para taekwondo discipline will join the Costa Rican team, completing the contingent.

In total, 29 athletes make up the Costa Rican delegation, each ready to showcase their skills, determination, and sportsmanship on this prestigious international stage.

The Parapan American Games Santiago 2023 promises to be a spectacular display of athletic prowess and resilience, with Costa Rica poised to make a significant impact across various disciplines.