Guararé Cubing 2024

David Montenegro delivered the standout performance of the weekend by posting a decisive 9.17 winning average and a 7.09 single in the 3x3x3 Cube final, setting the tone for a commanding showing by seasoned solvers in Los Santos. Taking place on December 14, 2024, at the Cooperativa Nuevo Amanecer in Guararé, Los Santos, Panama, the one-day gathering drew 23 competitors across six events and seven rounds of play. The 3x3 results capped a day of intense speedcubing where familiar names reinforced their standing across multiple disciplines.

The 3x3x3 Cube competition featured 22 competitors battling through two rounds, ultimately culminating in an all-Panama podium. Montenegro took the gold with his 9.17 average, while Gustavo Ross secured second place with an average of 10.82. Omar Arrocha rounded out the top three by recording an average of 11.10. Solving the classic Rubik's Cube under tournament conditions demanded composure, and Montenegro proved steady from the first scramble to the concluding solves of the final round.

Veteran Omar Aguilar put together a remarkable double-victory campaign at Guararé Cubing 2024, demonstrating his well-rounded mastery across diverse disciplines. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Aguilar topped the 14-person field with a winning average of 44.06, powered by a tournament-best single of 38.34. Egdar Castillo took second place with an average of 48.38, followed by Montenegro in third at 50.93. Aguilar added another first-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed, claiming victory with an average of 18.36 and a best single of 15.17, ahead of Ross in second at 20.15 and Ezequiel Cedeño in third at 21.40.

Short-format puzzles and specialized side events brought further high-speed drama to the venue. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Gustavo Ross claimed top honors with an impressive 3.57 average and a 3.28 single across a field of 18 competitors. Aguilar claimed the runner-up spot with an average of 4.14, while Gabriel Arrue Mcclarin finished third with a 4.37 mark. In Clock, Egdar Castillo led the 10-person bracket with a winning average of 8.86 and a single of 8.13, finishing ahead of Egdar Antonio Castillo Gonzalez who averaged 14.06, while Montenegro took third with 14.81.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded discipline, which demands flawless memorization before solving completely unassisted by sight, saw Omar Arrocha secure the title with an average of 1:48.00 and a best single of 1:13.65 among seven competitors. Fabián García followed in second place with a single of 1:26.42, while Aguilar earned his third podium of the meet by taking third place with a time of 4:01.79. Across every single discipline, all 18 podium positions were captured by competitors representing Panama, reflecting the depth of local speed cubing talent.

Behind the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones and personal breakthroughs away from the immediate spotlight. Grek Luque tackled four events and delivered major progress, setting a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 17.35, which was 38.1 percent faster than their previous mark of 28.04, alongside a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube of 1:20.92 and a first attempt at One-Handed of 1:02.27. Alexis Quintero entered three events, posting a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 4.83, a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 12.34 that was 28.4 percent faster than before, and a One-Handed personal best of 33.59. Juan Pablo Alcazar logged a first ever 2x2x2 Cube attempt of 7.77 and dropped their 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 26.7 percent down to 21.83. Abdiel Castillo completed four events, notching a first ever attempt at Clock of 33.51 and an initial 2x2x2 Cube result of 26.62.

Long-time participants and debutants also generated substantial momentum at Guararé Cubing 2024. Samuel Quintero competed in four events, carving 35.9 percent off their 4x4x4 Cube personal best to finish with 56.62, while also improving their 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 4.34 and setting a One-Handed mark of 40.94. David Laffaurie entered five events, cutting their 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 35.2 percent to 1:04.09 and improving in One-Handed to 29.87. Rafayel Lopez recorded five events, taking a best finish of fifth in Blindfolded and achieving a One-Handed personal best of 1:09.11. In their first WCA competition, David Diaz took on two events, recording a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 24.51 and an initial 3x3x3 Cube attempt of 1:01.20.

The one-day WCA competition at the Cooperativa Nuevo Amanecer venue provided a comprehensive showcase of talent and technical consistency. From sub-ten-second averages on the standard puzzle to intricate one-handed executions and blindfolded precision, the gathering tested the breadth of solving capabilities. Guararé Cubing 2024 served as an effective proving ground for the local circuit in 2024, demonstrating sharp execution from veterans and notable progress throughout the ranks.