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The BJJ Story
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Daniela Alfaro Stivalet

Daniela Alfaro Stivalet dedicated her 2022 World Master appearance to her father, whatever the result.

Biography

Daniela Alfaro Stivalet learned to draw and paint from her architect father and attended Colegio Castella. Her family encouraged her art. In a 2018 Diario Extra portrait, she described painting in acrylics when time, inspiration and competition commitments allowed. Raffling one of her paintings paid her competition entry. Master Worlds appearances in 2016 and 2017 came before a difficult 2018 final against a judoka. Taken down and tiring, she found a late submission. She had trained hard for a podium place, but winning left her surprised and happy. She dedicated the success to family, friends and Roger Coelho, her teacher and partner then. La República recorded her reflections on family loss in 2022 and on women's participation the following year. Before the 2022 World Master tournament in Las Vegas, she had decided to dedicate it to her father, who died that July, whatever the outcome. Three injuries lowered her expectations. The Master 2 brown-belt middleweight gold brought particular happiness amid that loss. She stressed discipline, effort and keeping her attention on a goal despite imperfect circumstances. In 2023, she recalled few female competitors at her start and growing participation, but scarce sponsorship for less prominent athletes. She described daily enjoyment and pride in representing Costa Rica.

Sources for this profile

  • Diario Extra, 2018.(opens in a new tab)

    • In her 2018 account, Alfaro linked childhood painting and family support to raffling a painting for competition entry, recalling her architect father's teaching and Colegio Castella. Master Worlds appearances in 2016 and 2017 preceded a demanding final and surprising victory after intensive training; she credited family, friends and her then teacher and partner Roger Coelho.

      Where in the source: Art and final.

      Accessed:

  • La República, 2022.(opens in a new tab)

    • In September 2022, Alfaro described dedicating the Las Vegas World Master tournament to her father, who died that July, regardless of outcome. Three injuries had lowered expectations; victory brought particular happiness after his loss. She emphasised discipline, effort and commitment to her goal. La República reported Master 2 brown-belt middleweight gold.

      Where in the source: Personal dedication.

      Accessed:

  • La República, 2023.(opens in a new tab)

    • In 2023, Alfaro recalled few female BJJ competitors when she began and described growing participation. She said sponsorship remained scarce for lower-profile athletes, while daily enjoyment and pride in representing Costa Rica sustained her involvement.

      Where in the source: Named athlete voice.

      Accessed:

Lineage

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Open lineage