Back to School Boquete 2025

Juan David Pérez delivered the definitive performance of the weekend in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded discipline, stopping the clock at a blazing 41.32 seconds. Solving a scrambled puzzle without sight is among the most demanding feats in speedcubing, requiring unbroken concentration, flawless memorisation, and steady spatial awareness. In a field of seven contenders tackling the single-round event, the Panamanian standout left no doubt about his command of the craft, finishing well ahead of runner-up Fabián García, who registered a 1:17.85 single, and third-place finisher Omar Arrocha at 1:44.59.

That masterclass set the tone for Back to School Boquete 2025, held on March 8, 2025, at the Centro Franciscano in Boquete, Chiriquí, Panama. A total of 22 competitors gathered for the 2025 gathering, taking on six distinct events across seven rounds of play. While the blindfold event captured early attention, the cubing competition showcased a wide array of disciplines, spanning miniature triangular puzzles, complex multi-layered cubes, and mechanical gear puzzles, keeping judges and timers busy from morning to evening.

The flagship Rubik's Cube category concluded with David Montenegro claiming top honours in the two-round tournament. Montenegro posted an 8.55 winning average in the final to seal first place, having also turned in a best single of 8.27 during the competition. Gustavo Ross secured the second podium spot with a 10.98 average, while Bolivia's Luciano Rocha took third place on an 11.12 mark. Out of 18 total podium spots awarded across all events, Panama claimed 17 and Bolivia secured one, reflecting the local talent present in the Chiriquí province.

Beyond the 3x3 results, Juan David Pérez doubled his gold medal haul by securing the Clock event with a 7.77 winning average, edging Jonathan David González Araúz, who finished second at 7.99, and Egdar Castillo, who took third in 8.49. In the Pyraminx contest, Karla Victoria Suárez Rosario commanded the bracket with a 3.78 average and a best single of 2.90, comfortably clear of Egdar Antonio Castillo Gonzalez at 6.69 and Omar Aguilar at 6.73. The single-round formats allowed no margin for early mistakes, rewarding sharp opening solves.

Big cubes also produced fierce battles across the Centro Franciscano tables. Omar Aguilar took top honours in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 45.55 winning average and a round-best 36.10 single, narrowly staying ahead of Egdar Castillo at 46.32 and David Montenegro at 46.76. Castillo returned to the top of the podium in the 5x5x5 Cube, producing a winning average of 1:17.18 alongside the fastest single of 1:11.45, with Aguilar securing second place at 1:19.57 and Gaspar Guillén taking third with a 1:44.20 average.

Away from the podium places, several competitors marked significant personal milestones that the final tables often obscure. Ezequiel Cedeño produced one of the most dramatic leaps of Back to School Boquete 2025, lowering his personal best in 3x3x3 Blindfolded to 1:47.51, an improvement of 55.7 percent from his prior 4:02.59 mark, while also recording his first ever attempt at the 5x5x5 Cube in 1:31.01. David Laffaurie dropped his Clock personal best to 9.31, trimming 36.8 percent from his previous 14.74 standard, while Diego Alejandro De Las Casas entered four events and lowered his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 14.7 percent to 16.29, alongside a 9.5 percent drop in Pyraminx to 8.73.

Fresh enthusiasm was on display across the field as new and developing solvers tackled unfamiliar formats. David Isaac Isaza Delgado recorded his first ever attempt at Clock with a 23.11 and his first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a 16.45, while cutting his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 11.8 percent to 35.40. Juan Pablo Alcazar posted a 12 percent improvement on the 3x3x3 Cube to finish at 19.20, and Ismael Montenegro improved his benchmark by 11.7 percent to 42.93. Sophya Nunez trimmed 5 percent from her Clock standard to reach 21.04, while William Fong attended his first WCA competition, recording his first ever attempt at the 3x3x3 Cube in 27.98 and Pyraminx in 12.75.

The action at Back to School Boquete 2025 provided an energetic showcase of speed cubing in western Panama. From the absolute silence of the blindfolded solves to the frantic pace of the three-by-three final, the Centro Franciscano provided an ideal stage for local talent to test their preparation. With new benchmarks established and fresh competitors entering the community, the groundwork is set for another strong chapter as the next season of regional competition approaches.