He began his international career in 1998 and took silver medals behind compatriot Jorge Naranjo at the South American Youth and South American Junior Championships. He succeed Nava as the region's top young vaulter with championship records of and to win the youth and junior titles in 2000. He defended the junior title in 2001 before falling behind Brazil's Fábio Gomes da Silva in 2002. He also won a silver behind Naranjo during this period at the 2001 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships. He represented Chile at the 1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics and the World Junior Championships in Athletics in 2000 and 2002.