Corozal Cube Open 2023

A blistering 7.45 single and a 10.15 winning average in the 3x3x3 Cube by Anthony Brooks set an exceptionally high bar at Mary Hill R.C. School, capturing the marquee spotlight in style. That performance anchored an action-packed schedule at Corozal Cube Open 2023, where 13 competitors came together in Corozal, Belize on October 14, 2023. Across seven events and 10 rounds, the single-day gathering provided continuous excitement, showcasing intense speedcubing skill from the opening heats right down to the final solves.

The 3x3 results formed the centerpiece of the tournament, drawing all 13 entrants into two rounds of classic Rubik's Cube solving. Anthony Brooks led the field across the final, while Brian Brooks followed in second place with an average of 12.14. Johan López claimed the third spot on the podium with a 14.23 average, securing the top local finish for Belize. The double-round format gave competitors a crucial second chance to drop their times and refine their turning under the pressure of official timers.

Brian Brooks also made his presence felt in the 2x2x2 Cube, topping an eight-person field over two rounds with a winning average of 5.25 and a best single of 3.21. Eldon John Penner pushed the pace all the way to the finish, taking second place with a 5.52 average after delivering a 4.52 single, while Noe Andre Smith rounded out the podium in third with a 5.67 average. The speed cubing in the shorter format was relentless, demanding quick visual recognition and flawless execution in every solve.

Eldon John Penner emerged as a dominant force across the larger mechanisms and polyhedral events, securing three distinct victories on the day. Penner captured first place in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 1:10.88 average and a 59.15 single, besting Noe Andre Smith at 1:12.43 and Carlos Ricardo Chin Dzul at 1:25.66. Continuing his strong run, Penner topped the 5x5x5 Cube in 2:42.34 with a 2:37.77 single over Smith, and later secured the Megaminx title with an average of 3:02.44, again finishing ahead of Smith in the twelve-sided discipline.

Noe Andre Smith had an exceptional day of his own, collecting two major titles to complement his three runner-up finishes. In Pyraminx, Smith prevailed across two rounds among nine competitors, taking first place with a 7.51 average and a 6.91 single, with Penner taking second at 8.68 and Oceannie Hasbun claiming third at 13.80. Smith also captured the Skewb title with a 12.50 average and a 7.67 best single, leading Penner who averaged 17.74 and Liam Kelly who secured third place with a 20.94 average.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the heartbeat of Corozal Cube Open 2023 belonged to newcomers and dedicated participants registering major personal milestones on the official stage. Mark Anthony Yama stepped up for his first WCA competition, entering two events and establishing initial official marks with a 16.01 single in the 2x2x2 Cube alongside a 43.89 single in his 3x3x3 Cube debut. Ameer Panjabi also embraced a first cubing competition by entering three separate disciplines, recording a 31.15 in the 2x2x2 Cube, 45.45 in Pyraminx, and 1:35.58 in the 3x3x3 Cube.

That same drive was evident across the rest of the newcomer field. Krisha Panjabi completed an ambitious three-event program in a competition debut, recording initial attempts of 36.48 on the 2x2x2 Cube, 24.87 on Pyraminx, and 1:38.35 on the 3x3x3 Cube. Thomas Searle marked his first competitive appearance across two events, putting up a 24.68 attempt on Pyraminx and a 2:54.35 attempt on the 3x3x3 Cube. Meanwhile, Trevor Searle maximized his entry by earning a solid 7th place finish in the 3x3x3 Cube.

The overall medal count reflected a vibrant day of competition, with competitors from Belize collecting 15 podium places, while visitors from the USA earned 3 and Mexico earned 1. The sheer variety of events, spanning from quick 2x2 sprints to the lengthy calculations of 5x5 and Megaminx, tested every competitor who walked into Mary Hill R.C. School. As Corozal Cube Open 2023 drew to a close, the day proved how much progress and competitive energy is thriving within the local community for the 2023 season and beyond.