Imbabura Open 2023

Anthony Gerard Álvarez Ludeña put on a dominant display in Ibarra, Ecuador, securing the flagship title with a 9.86 winning average on the classic 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube. The contest capped an expansive weekend at Unidad Educativa Teodoro Gómez de la Torre, where 66 competitors converged across 18 rounds on May 6 and 7. The Imbabura Open 2023 delivered intense battles on the main stage alongside a remarkable wave of emerging solvers stepping up for their very first tournament appearances.

The 2023 edition was distinguished by the large volume of newcomers who chose this cubing competition to register their opening official marks. Out of 64 competitors taking on the main puzzle, Álvarez Ludeña stood atop the 3x3 results with a 9.11 best single to beat Sebastián Mateo España Chango, who took second with a 10.52 average, and Josué Ordóñez, who rounded out the podium at 11.86. The influx of first-time entrants provided energetic depth across every preliminary bracket, creating memorable milestones throughout the hall.

Beyond his main-event triumph, Álvarez Ludeña put together a staggering sweep across multiple formats. He claimed first place in 4x4x4 Cube with a 37.93 average, 5x5x5 Cube with 1:22.02, and Megaminx with 58.01. His versatility shone equally bright in non-standard challenges, capturing the 3x3x3 One-Handed title in 20.84, the 3x3x3 Blindfolded crown with a 1:07.56 average, and the 3x3x3 Multi-Blind victory by solving 6 of 6 cubes in 24:12.

The 2x2x2 Cube saw one of the closest finishes of the entire weekend, where Raúl Gómez earned top honors with a lightning 2.45 average and a 1.79 single. Álvarez Ludeña finished just behind in second place with a 2.47 average, while Sebastián Joel Herrera Manangon claimed third at 4.33. Speed cubing in the shorter formats also brought out brilliant performances in Skewb and Square-1, where Steven Daniel Dueñas Anisete picked up a pair of victories, averaging 5.19 and 26.13 respectively.

Behind the trophy presentations, the heart of the Imbabura Open 2023 was written in the personal progression of its dedicated competitors. Jeremy Leonardo Angamarca Juma logged huge breakthroughs across three events, cutting his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 35.6 percent down to 8.27, trimming his Pyraminx mark by 20.4 percent to 7.60, and improving his 3x3x3 Cube best to 29.04. Felipe Alejandro Velasteguí Castro similarly lowered his 3x3x3 personal record by 33.4 percent to 22.58, took his 2x2x2 best down by 9.5 percent to 6.73, and completed his first ever official Pyraminx attempt in 11.00.

Fresh debuts and significant milestones highlighted the weekend roster. Ivan Andres Mora Jaramillo posted a 27.4 percent improvement in 3x3x3 Cube with 17.34, a 26.8 percent drop in 2x2x2 Cube to 6.75, and posted 1:10.68 in his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube to finish 10th. Marcelo Gabriel Torres Garrido tackled four events, slicing his 2x2x2 Cube best by 26.4 percent to 7.04, improving his 3x3x3 mark by 10.8 percent to 26.33, and logging his first Pyraminx solve at 21.77 alongside a 7th place finish in Megaminx.

Carlos Aldair Cañarejo Tamba achieved an impressive 6th place finish in Pyraminx while lowering his 3x3x3 personal record by 19.5 percent to 12.36 and logging his first ever 3x3x3 One-Handed solve of 36.54. Marco Alexander Díaz Cabascango produced major speedcubing gains, trimming 23.1 percent off his Pyraminx best to hit 7.61 and cutting his 3x3x3 mark by 19.6 percent to 17.38. Meanwhile, David Sebastian Congo Lara completed his first WCA competition by entering three disciplines, highlighted by an 8th place finish in Pyraminx with an 8.04 first attempt and an 11.66 debut solve on the 3x3x3 Cube. Alejandro Gabriel Domínguez Jara tackled three events, finishing 15th in 4x4x4 Cube, setting a 16.52 3x3x3 best that was 16.9 percent faster, and making his first ever 2x2x2 attempt in 8.63.

The specialized disciplines rounded out the comprehensive 15-event schedule. Josué Ordóñez proved unmatched on big cubes and strategic problem solving, taking first place in the 6x6x6 Cube with a 2:40.05 average, the 7x7x7 Cube with 4:03.57, and the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves contest with 49 moves. Adrián Leandro Pazmiño Aldás captured the Pyraminx title with a 5.51 average, while Luis Fernando Aldás Cuestas topped the Clock standings with an average of 17.04.

With 45 podium places claimed across two full days of competition, the Imbabura Open 2023 concluded as an exceptional gathering for the regional community. From established champions recording sub-10 averages to enthusiastic newcomers completing their very first official solves, the tournament delivered high standard execution across every puzzle category as competitors look ahead to the next season of competition.