Amman FMC 2023

Inside the Creativity Makers Center on July 6, 2023, the quiet concentration of a specialized cubing competition filled the room. Tables were set with blank score sheets, stopwatches, and scrambled puzzles as ten contenders gathered in Amman, Jordan. With ten rounds across ten varied disciplines packed into a single intense day, every move counted toward the final standings, drawing competitors together for a focused test of analytical problem solving and technical dexterity.

The defining contest of Amman FMC 2023 came down to an exceptionally narrow margin in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Zakarya Otair secured the title with a winning average of 34.67 moves, including a best single of 32 moves, setting a Jordan national record average in the process. Close behind him, Kamel Hammouri delivered a strong 35.33 mean with a best attempt of 33 moves, falling less than a single move short of the top spot. Mohammad Ahmad Abu Hussein of Palestine claimed third on the podium, setting national records for Palestine with a 34 single and a 48.33 average.

The overall 3x3 results across alternative disciplines extended far beyond traditional turns. Otair produced an unmatched blindfolded sequence throughout the meet, winning 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a rapid 33.43 single ahead of Ahmad Abu Hussein at 5:34.41 and Abdel Rahman Adnan Alrefae at 9:28.67. In 3x3x3 Multi-Blind, Otair conquered 37 of 41 cubes in 59:45, standing as the only competitor to register a successful result while three others logged DNFs.

Beyond the classic Rubik's Cube variations, the big cubes brought another duel at the front. Kamel Hammouri captured first place in the 5x5x5 Cube, registering a winning average of 1:13.99 and a best single of 1:10.11 to edge out Otair, who finished runner-up in 1:17.01, and Mohammad Ahmad Abu Hussein in 1:28.49. Otair responded in the 6x6x6 Cube, securing victory with a 2:43.48 average and a 2:36.98 single over Hammouri, who took second in 2:56.17.

Side events offered fast-paced variety at Amman FMC 2023, highlighted by the performances of Abdallah Almaharmeh. Almaharmeh earned two titles during the day, first winning Clock with an average of 7.55 seconds and a best single of 6.04. He followed that effort by topping the Square-1 event with a winning average of 19.85 seconds and a single of 14.07, holding off Otair who finished second with a 25.73 average.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several participants made substantial strides across the schedule. Adam Zeidan entered three events and recorded a top finish of fourth place in Megaminx, completing his first ever attempt in the event with a time of 1:39.26. Otallah Rashed Mohammed Alshboul took on a focused program by entering one discipline, securing fifth place in Clock to add another solid performance to his career ledger.

Zakarya Otair added a further title in Megaminx, logging an average of 1:05.85 and a best single of 1:01.75 across the seven-competitor field. He also stood as the sole entrant in both 4x4x4 Blindfolded and 5x5x5 Blindfolded, concluding an exceptionally demanding schedule that spanned eight separate events across the day.

Across the entire WCA competition, Jordanian speedcubing competitors amassed 20 podium places while Palestinian entrants captured seven. The gathering highlighted the dedication required across specialized categories, blending speed cubing execution with deep calculation. As the curtain fell on Amman FMC 2023, the close finishes and national benchmarks set a strong standard for the community heading into the next competitive season.