Jordan Nationals 2023

Five competitors faced the immense challenge of the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event, a testament to the extraordinary concentration required in modern speedcubing. Taking place in Amman, Jordan on October 6 and 7, the Jordan Nationals 2023 gathered 57 participants who tackled a demanding schedule of 14 events across 17 rounds. This WCA competition highlighted the dedication and mental fortitude necessary to succeed, especially in events where vision is obscured and solvers must rely entirely on memory and practice. The blindfolded category saw a gruelling contest, with Omar Hijazi securing the win, outlasting Nasir Ali Mohammed Dawood Abdalla, Adam Zeidan, Abdallah Almaharmeh, and Qosai Hamdan in a field where every single competitor registered a DNF for their best single attempt.

While the blindfolded event tested the limits of memory, the standard 3x3x3 Cube contest demonstrated pure speed. Adam Tiro emerged victorious with a winning average of 8.34 seconds and a best single of 7.44 seconds in a crowded field of 56 competitors. The 3x3 results showcased the high level of talent present at this cubing competition, as participants pushed through three intense rounds. The venue at AlHassad AlTarbawi Schools was filled with the rhythmic clicking of the Rubik's Cube, as competitors aimed to lower their times and secure their place in the standings.

Niko Ronkainen from Finland dominated multiple events throughout the weekend, securing an impressive collection of victories. He triumphed in the 2x2x2 Cube with an average of 2.45 seconds, the 4x4x4 Cube with 39.32 seconds, and the Skewb with 4.57 seconds. His proficiency extended to the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, winning with a 17.98-second average, and the 5x5x5 Cube, where he posted a winning average of 1:14.73. Ronkainen's stellar performance also included wins in the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, Clock, 6x6x6 Cube, and 7x7x7 Cube, making his mark firmly on the 2023 season in Amman.

Other notable victories included Abdallah Almaharmeh taking the Pyraminx title with an average of 4.89 seconds and the Square-1 crown with 16.85 seconds. Adam Zeidan claimed the Megaminx top spot with an average of 1:14.65. The weekend also saw a flurry of national records in the 2x2x2 Cube. Niko Ronkainen set national single and average records, while Abdallah Almaharmeh, Adam Tiro, Mohamad Khalifeh, Kamel Hammouri, Qosai Hamdan, Albara Mahmoad Shanna'a, Awos Omar Alqudah, Nasir Ali Mohammed Dawood Abdalla, and Owen Kwok all established new national benchmarks for their respective countries in the 2x2x2 event.

Beyond the headlines, the competition saw remarkable personal milestones that reflect the true spirit of speed cubing. Bayan Mansour improved her Pyraminx personal best by an impressive 42.2 percent, bringing it down to 7.72 seconds, and also attempted Skewb and Clock for the very first time. Yousef Khanfar slashed his Pyraminx time by 62.4 percent to 7.07 seconds and improved his 2x2x2 Cube best by 20.9 percent. Owen Kwok reduced his 2x2x2 Cube best by 62 percent to 2.75 seconds and his 3x3x3 Cube time by 58.5 percent, alongside taking on Skewb for the first time.

The wave of personal achievements continued with competitors stepping up to new challenges. Khaled Awwad entered seven events, taking on the 4x4x4 Cube, Megaminx, and 3x3x3 One-Handed for the first time in his career. Hamzah Baareh completed his first ever attempts at Clock, Megaminx, and the 5x5x5 Cube. Awos Omar Alqudah secured a fourth-place finish in Square-1 on his first attempt, alongside debuting in Megaminx and the 5x5x5 Cube. Mohammad Bassam Ababneh lowered his 3x3x3 Cube best by 43.3 percent to 14.99 seconds, and Joory Al-Sroujieh made her WCA debut by establishing her first times in the 2x2x2 Cube, Pyraminx, and 4x4x4 Cube.

The diverse range of puzzles at the Jordan Nationals 2023 provided ample opportunity for competitors to test different skills. From the intricate turns of the Megaminx to the precise layer movements of the Square-1, the event roster catered to all strengths. The presence of international competitors from Finland, Lebanon, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, the USA, and Iraq added to the rich competitive atmosphere in Amman. The podium places reflected this diversity, with Jordan claiming 21 spots, Finland 12, Lebanon 5, Palestine 4, and the United Arab Emirates 2.

As the final layers were turned and the timers stopped, the weekend in Amman concluded as a significant milestone in the 2023 cubing calendar. The blend of intense concentration in blindfolded solving, rapid-fire speed in standard events, and the multitude of personal bests painted a complete picture of the competition. Participants departed the AlHassad AlTarbawi Schools venue with new records, fresh personal benchmarks, and the shared experience of another successful gathering in the global speedcubing community.