Carnaval Cubero Azuero 2024

A single unforced error in a mean-of-3 contest can instantly reshape a leaderboard, and nowhere was that unforgiving dynamic clearer than in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded final at Carnaval Cubero Azuero 2024. With five competitors taking on the mental challenge at Universidad de Panamá Centro Regional Los Santos in Las Tablas, Los Santos, Panama, execution had to be flawless across all three attempts to register an official average. Josué Ahmed González held his nerve from memory phase to final turn, posting a winning average of 2:56.92 alongside a best single of 2:24.71. Omar Arrocha took second place with a single of 2:41.53, while three other competitors recorded uncompleted solves, proving how razor thin the margin between victory and elimination remains.

The one-day WCA competition on February 24, 2024, brought together 22 competitors across eight rounds and five diverse events. Speedcubing in the region showcased a balance between traditional speed puzzles and high-focus formats, creating a rich atmosphere across the tournament floor. Spectators and participants in the Azuero region witnessed intense action across both classic and modern disciplines, as Panama swept all seventeen podium placements awarded throughout the weekend.

Beyond the blindfolded event, the standard 3x3x3 Cube contest produced thrilling 3x3 results across two full rounds of competition. Miguel Ángel Hernández claimed the top step of the podium, capturing the gold medal with a winning average of 10.14 and a fastest single solve of 8.25. Egdar Castillo pushed the pace throughout the final round to secure second place with an average of 11.53, while Gustavo Ross rounded out the podium in third position by averaging 12.20 over his five solves.

Miguel Ángel Hernández continued his exceptional form into the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, showing immense dexterity and turning efficiency to complete a double-victory weekend at Carnaval Cubero Azuero 2024. Out of a field of 16 participants across two rounds, Hernández delivered a winning average of 18.36 and a best single of 16.43. Abiel Pérez earned the silver medal with an average of 21.36, closely followed by Egdar Castillo, who took bronze with an average of 22.06.

The big-cube and twisty puzzles brought further excitement to the schedule. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Egdar Castillo claimed top honours with a dominant winning average of 41.42 and a standout single of 40.32, finishing ahead of Miguel Ángel Hernández at 45.42 and Josué Ahmed González at 48.94. González then returned to the top step in Skewb, taking first place with an outstanding 5.00 average, followed by Karla Victoria Suárez Rosario with an average of 6.79 and Castillo in third with 7.24.

Tucked beneath the podium battles was a slate of remarkable individual breakthroughs that defined the spirit of this cubing competition. Roberto Icaza Kinloch made his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a 1:30.95 and dropped his Skewb personal best down to 7.48, an improvement of 58.8 percent. Joseph Paul Castillo Vega tackled three events, making his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with 1:53.13, improving his Skewb personal best by 43.6 percent to 9.37, and lowering his 3x3x3 Cube best by 20.9 percent to 21.05. Luciano Rocha entered four events, posting a first attempt of 28.33 in 3x3x3 One-Handed while trimming his Rubik's Cube best by 30.6 percent to 12.13 and his 4x4x4 Cube best by 19.6 percent to 1:06.40. Omar Aguilar took on four events, setting marks on his first ever attempts at 4x4x4 Cube with 1:28.96 and 3x3x3 One-Handed with 21.64, alongside a 27.2 percent cut to his 3x3x3 Cube best at 14.97.

The tournament also offered an ideal stage for newcomers and dedicated speed cubing enthusiasts to set meaningful milestones. Leonardo Delgado made his first WCA competition appearance memorable by taking on two events, earning fourth place in 4x4x4 Cube with a first attempt of 46.75 and putting up a 13.85 in 3x3x3 Cube. Jorge Mario De Gracia Isaza lowered his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 24.3 percent to 21.19. Joseph Garzon Perez logged his first ever attempts in both 3x3x3 One-Handed with 1:09.40 and Skewb with 18.14, while David Laffaurie improved his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best by 8.0 percent down to 46.08 across four events entered.

With five events completed and eight competitive rounds in the books, Carnaval Cubero Azuero 2024 concluded as a resounding success for the speedcubing community in Las Tablas. From the unforgiving demands of blindfolded solving to the electric pace of the 3x3x3 Cube finals, the tournament reflected the rising standard of competition in Panama, setting an ambitious benchmark for the rest of the 2024 season.