14 New Allegations Surface Against Members of the Costa Rican Taekwondo Federation
On Wednesday, attorney José Pablo Murillo confirmed to MASTKD that he has filed 14 administrative complaints against Wilmar Alvarado, president of the Costa Rican Taekwondo Federation (FCT), and members of its board of directors. The allegations include psychological abuse and mistreatment of athletes, coaches, and parents.
On Wednesday, attorney José Pablo Murillo confirmed to MASTKD that he has filed 14 administrative complaints against Wilmar Alvarado, president of the Costa Rican Taekwondo Federation (FCT), and members of its board of directors. The allegations include psychological abuse and mistreatment of athletes, coaches, and parents.
Murillo explained that the complaints were initially submitted to the Costa Rican Institute of Sport and Recreation (ICODER) and would subsequently be filed with the Prosecutor’s Office. Each case, he emphasized, requires a precise and detailed presentation.
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“The administrative complaints come first to request precautionary measures against the FCT Board of Directors. The criminal complaints require a different approach, which I am currently drafting as part of these 14 cases,” Murillo told MASTKD from Argentina.
In addition to these complaints, Murillo announced his intention to file a criminal complaint against Katherine Alvarado, the president’s daughter and a member of the FCT Athlete Committee, Pan American Taekwondo Union (PATU), and World Taekwondo (WT). The complaint accuses her of allegedly practicing medicine without a license. Claims are that Katherine Alvarado prescribed medications and provided “expert” advice to ensure competitors met weight requirements for their respective categories.
Murillo stated that the complaints would not be limited to Costa Rican administrative and judicial bodies. He plans to escalate them to PATU and WT, arguing that these organizations cannot ignore such serious accusations given their statutes on integrity and ethics. Official submissions were expected between Wednesday and Thursday.
In late November, former national team member Luo Fonseca accused FCT President Wilmar Alvarado of covering up sexual abuse and engaging in psychological mistreatment during her youth. She also accused a Mexican coach of perpetrating the abuse. The FCT’s response focused on defending Alvarado’s honor rather than ensuring transparency or calm. This approach led to resignations by two female board members, including Ivannia Barboza, who issued a public statement expressing her disagreement with the Federation’s actions.
Shortly after, anonymous sources began filing complaints of mistreatment by Alvarado. These grievances culminated in Wednesday’s formal submissions.
Despite widespread coverage in Costa Rican media and social platforms, international taekwondo bodies initially claimed no knowledge of the Luo Fonseca case. However, MASTKD’s editorial decision to withdraw sponsorship from the President’s Cup of the Americas and the IV Pan Am Series U-22—scheduled to be hosted in Costa Rica—underscored the seriousness of the allegations.
This situation has exposed the vulnerability of complaint mechanisms within the sport. The lack of proactive measures leaves athletes dependent on filing formal grievances to trigger any action, a weakness highlighted by Luo Fonseca’s case.
The mounting allegations against the FCT have placed the organization under unprecedented scrutiny. The outcomes of these complaints will not only determine the future of those involved but could also set a precedent for how similar cases are handled within international taekwondo.
Stay tuned to MASTKD for ongoing coverage of this developing story and other key updates in the taekwondo community.
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