Caminos de Guanajuato - SJI 2026

Forty-two competitors gathered at the Auditorio Municipal for a fierce display of domestic rivalry on July 25, 2026. This WCA competition, known officially as Caminos de Guanajuato - SJI 2026, transformed San José Iturbide, Guanajuato, Mexico into a battleground for the top local solvers. Throughout the single-day event, attendees witnessed a series of tightly contested head-to-head matchups across four puzzle disciplines. Speedcubing demands intense focus and rapid execution, and the athletes present brought their utmost dedication to the tables. As the day unfolded across eleven total rounds of solving, it became clear that a highly driven group of participants would dominate the proceedings and claim the highest honours available at this tournament.

The premier event of any speed cubing gathering is the standard three by three puzzle, and the clash here was no exception. When it came time for the ultimate 3x3 results to be tallied, Alexis Rodrigo Cazu Mendoza emerged as the undisputed champion among the forty-one entrants in the category. He navigated the three rounds with exceptional precision, securing a winning average of 7.48 seconds alongside a blistering best single solve of 7.06 seconds. His main rival in the division, Marco Alberto Arreguín Ramírez, fought valiantly to claim the second position with a highly respectable average of 8.59 seconds. Jesús Armando García Ramírez completed the podium sweep by locking in third place with an 8.78 second average.

The rivalry between the top two solvers reached an absolute fever pitch during the Pyraminx event. In a remarkably rare occurrence for a major cubing competition, Alexis Rodrigo Cazu Mendoza and Marco Alberto Arreguín Ramírez posted the exact same final average of 3.67 seconds. Alexis edged out the victory based on a superior single solve tiebreaker of 2.35 seconds, relegating Marco to another hard-fought second place finish. The tension during these final attempts was palpable in the results sheet, as both competitors pushed their turning speeds to the physical limits. Braulio Axel Barroso García followed closely behind the leading duo, capturing the third place position with an average of 4.31 seconds against thirty-six contenders.

Proving his versatility across the spectrum of World Cube Association challenges in 2026, Alexis Rodrigo Cazu Mendoza extended his dominance into the larger puzzle categories. The massive 7x7x7 Cube requires a completely different strategic approach and significantly more stamina than the smaller events, yet Alexis handled the complex mechanics flawlessly. Across two rigorous rounds of solving, he secured his third victory of the weekend with a winning average of two minutes and 5.28 seconds, highlighted by a best single time of one minute and 58.39 seconds. Thirty competitors tested their endurance in this gruelling event, making it a popular large puzzle showcase in recent regional speedcubing memory.

Behind the runaway victor in the seven by seven category, the battle for the remaining podium spots showcased further depth among the Mexican solving contingent. Isaac Vergara Castillo demonstrated excellent block-building efficiency to capture second place with an average time of two minutes and 10.29 seconds. Eduardo Rafael Mendiola Rosas followed in the third position, recording a solid average of two minutes and 39.77 seconds. The large cube events often highlight the immense patience and rigorous practice routines required by competitors, as every minor mistake is magnified over a multi-minute solve. The competitors at the Auditorio Municipal certainly proved their resilience throughout these demanding attempts.

The sole event to escape the grasp of the weekend dominator was the Clock discipline, which introduced a completely different mechanical challenge to the competitors. Alvaro Perez Posas mastered the dual-sided dials to take the gold medal against thirty-one other entrants. He produced a stellar winning average of 4.55 seconds and a best single solve of 4.34 seconds over three rounds of competition. The race for the top spot was incredibly narrow, as David Adán Rivera pushed Alvaro to the edge, ultimately settling for second place with a 4.70 second average. César Abraham Briones Arreola rounded out the top three by registering an average of 7.49 seconds.

By the conclusion of Caminos de Guanajuato - SJI 2026, local talent had thoroughly defended its home turf. Mexican competitors claimed all twelve available podium positions across the four contested events, highlighting a robust and highly competitive national scene. The intense rivalries on display, particularly the razor-thin margins separating the top solvers in the Pyraminx and standard Rubik's Cube disciplines, underscored the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines modern competitive puzzle solving. As the athletes departed San José Iturbide, Guanajuato, they left behind a trail of exceptional results and a clear message regarding the region as a formidable stronghold for elite speed solvers.