Bigs & Blinds El Alto 2023

57.21 seconds was the lightning-fast single that set the tone at Bigs & Blinds El Alto 2023, where a dedicated field of 11 competitors gathered on November 4, 2023, at the Residencial Ancasi in El Alto, Bolivia. Over the course of 10 rounds across 9 events, this specialized cubing competition brought together the country's sharpest solvers for big cubes, blindfolded challenges, and intricate twisty puzzles. The focus was firmly on precision, memory, and raw turning speed in one of the year's most focused gatherings on the national circuit.

The traditional speed events delivered immediate excitement, led by the rapid turning in 3x3x3 Blindfolded where Juan Dilan Nina Magueño claimed the top spot on the podium with that scorching 57.21 single. The event demanded incredible execution speed combined with flawless memorization. Sebastián Morón Mariscal secured the second step on the podium with a single of 1:24.93, while Alberto Arturo Ayllón Bustos completed the top three with a mark of 1:43.66 in an event where every competitor fought hard against dnfs.

While the standard Rubik's Cube tests raw sight-solving speed, the big cube events required relentless endurance. Josias Milan Sirpa Pinto dominated the heavier hardware, capturing gold in the 5x5x5 Cube across two competitive rounds with a winning average of 58.34 seconds and a best single of 50.70. In that same contest, Alejandro Marze Rossel earned second place with a 1:05.56 average, followed by Luzio Batuani Conde in third at 1:14.91.

Josias Milan Sirpa Pinto continued his sweep across the largest puzzles by taking the 6x6x6 Cube title with an average of 1:55.61 and a single of 1:48.47. He then capped off his masterclass in the 7x7x7 Cube, posting a winning average of 3:09.41 and a best single of 2:57.92. Alejandro Marze Rossel placed second in the 7x7x7 Cube with an average of 4:01.55, while Sebastián Morón Mariscal rounded out the podium places.

In the technical speedcubing events, Samuel Antonio Cruz Coareti produced a masterclass in Square-1, winning the event with a crisp average of 11.29 seconds and a standout single of 8.40. Elias Mamani Tumiri took the runner-up position with an average of 19.12 seconds, while Amaru Aloys Ancasi Pevec secured third place with a 20.33 average. The competition highlighted the versatility required to switch from big cube layers to shape-shifting puzzles.

Away from the top of the podium, the depth of talent at this official WCA competition was evident in the efforts of dedicated competitors. Xavier Antonio Balderrama brought immense experience to the tables, taking on 2 events at the venue and securing a solid 6th-place finish in the 6x6x6 Cube. Solvers across the floor tackled demanding events with determination, proving that every round offers valuable experience on the competitive speed cubing stage.

The blindfolded categories tested concentration to the absolute limit. In the 4x4x4 Blindfolded event, Sebastián Morón Mariscal emerged victorious with a best single of 7:47.55, ahead of Juan Dilan Nina Magueño who finished second in 9:23.13. Joel Mamani Tumiri conquered the grueling 5x5x5 Blindfolded challenge, taking first place with a single of 19:49.00, while Sebastián Morón Mariscal followed with 21:57.00 and Juan Dilan Nina Magueño claimed third with 28:37.00.

The ultimate memory test came in 3x3x3 Multi-Blind, where Juan Dilan Nina Magueño delivered a flawless performance to win with 8 out of 8 cubes solved in a time of 42:42. Sebastián Morón Mariscal matched the perfect 8 out of 8 score, securing second place in 47:20, while Joel Mamani Tumiri placed third with 4 out of 8 in 34:29. The mastery of spatial orientation and recall kept the pressure high throughout the entire contest.

Efficiency was the final proving ground in the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves event, where Joel Mamani Tumiri took top honors with an average of 34.67 moves and a best single of 31. Juan Dilan Nina Magueño took second with a 40.33 average, while Alberto Arturo Ayllón Bustos finished third with a best single of 32 moves. With all 27 podium positions claimed by Bolivian competitors, Bigs & Blinds El Alto 2023 concluded as an inspiring showcase of domestic talent in 2023, pointing toward strong momentum as competitors prepare for the next season.