On the fast courts of San Juan, where every possession requires instinct, two Chilean brothers, José and Cristóbal Espinosa, emerge as the emotional spark of their national Special Olympics 3×3 basketball team. A few well-timed passes feed the defense, with their team chemistry boosting Chile’s gameplay.
Guiding the team in the Special Olympics Unified 3×3 Basketball World Cup are Head Coach José Luis Campos Salgado and Assistant Coach Isabel Margarita, whose steady leadership has guided the team through every challenge.
The mission of a coach, rooted in inclusivity
Coach Campos remembers the team’s beginnings and the struggle to find a court. “One of the problems we had was finding enough space to train,” he explains. “Our local club, MotorSkill, has helped us, but it shows us how much we still need to build a culture of Special Olympics sports in Chile.”
For him, this journey extends far beyond the competition. Of Chile plans to host the 2027 World Gameshe believes the nation must embrace true inclusion. “People need to understand that athletes with intellectual disabilities can participate just like anyone else. Uniform sports depend on that awareness.”
When it comes to José and Cristóbal, Campos’ voice reflects both pride and nostalgia. “It’s not about magic formulas,” he says. “It’s about teaching values: perseverance, consistency, discipline. They’re very good boys, very outgoing. Coaching them reminds me of playing with my own older brother; we shared that connection on the field, and it’s extraordinary to see José and Cristóbal here together.”
Assistant coach Isabel Margarita helps keep the team centered and reinforces the calm that allows the brothers to shine. Looking ahead, she adds: “It’s about having the desire to get better and make sure the boys continue to love and play this sport for the rest of their lives.”
Nerves, momentum swings and a battle for rhythm
Chile’s opening match against Canada (final: Chile 3 – Canada 5) carried the unmistakable tension of a good game. Early fouls and hasty decisions disrupted their rhythm, and adrenaline led to brief disagreements. “They were very nervous,” Campos recalls. “Fear was getting to them. They argued a bit, but it was just adrenaline: they wanted to perform well.”
Their second match, against Chinese Taipei (final: Chile 4 – Chinese Taipei 11), brought progress. While it wasn’t a win, their moves sharpened: screens landed, ball flow improved and the team found their rhythm. “They loosened up,” Campos says.
Now Chile is preparing for a crucial clash with Chile Saudi Arabiaa fast and physical team eager to test their resilience. “Let’s see if we can bring a medal back to our country,” Campos hopes.
Building the future of Chilean 3×3
Chile’s 3×3 program, only two years in development, has been strengthened by Special Olympics Chile, the Chilean Olympic Committee and Andrés Bello University. Despite the age range for the Cup being 15-21, the team adapted through conditioning, technical training and uniform practices that built confidence.
“We focused on building confidence and intensity with each drill,” said Coach Campos. “They have to play hard, fight for every ball and keep pushing no matter the score.” Assistant coach Isabel Margarita added: “The boys respond to each other on the pitch. They know when to shoot and when to pass. That connection is essential in 3×3.” Every dribble and shot counts as they up the pace and contest every possession.
For the Chilean team, and especially for José and Cristóbal, this ensures meaningful involvement from every teammate. As the brothers take the field again, each jump reflects their skill and athletic effort, and the hope for an inclusive sports culture – one their coaches are determined to build.
Watch all the action during the final matches tomorrow via the livestream!
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