Lebrija 2023

Forty-four competitors arrived at the Casa de la Cultura on July 16, 2023, stepping into the lively atmosphere of Lebrija 2023 in Lebrija, Santander, Colombia. For many taking their initial steps onto the official stage, the single-day WCA competition offered an introduction to the intensity of timed solving under tournament conditions. Across fourteen rounds and seven official events, the floor buzzed with the distinctive click of plastic mechanisms as newcomers joined seasoned solvers to test their skills under standard competition regulations.

The journey of walking up to the solving table for the first time carries a unique blend of nervous anticipation and focus. Facing an official judge with a timer waiting beneath the mat, competitors experienced the rush of having every movement measured to the hundredth of a second. In an open speedcubing atmosphere, each solve became an opportunity to translate hours of home practice into certified marks, establishing personal benchmarks while absorbing the camaraderie of the Colombian cubing community.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several solvers seized the day by claiming massive personal milestones across their events. Juan Esteban Rodriguez Clavijo took on four events, securing eighth in Pyraminx with a personal best of 6.53 seconds that was 35.2 percent faster than before, while posting his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube at 1:22.93 and dropping his 3x3x3 Cube mark to 16.01 seconds, a 36.4 percent improvement. Alexis Carvajal also tackled four events, registering an initial 4x4x4 Cube time of 1:26.89, finishing eleventh in Pyraminx, and cutting his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 28.4 percent to 4.74 seconds alongside a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 13.29 seconds. Dylan Sebastián Reyes García made his mark across four events, finishing ninth in Clock with a best of 30.56 seconds, 14.1 percent quicker than his prior standard, while shaving 29.6 percent off his 2x2x2 Cube time down to 6.64 seconds. Nicolas Reyes Morales entered three events and saw great gains, dropping his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 23.9 percent to 16.19 seconds and his 3x3x3 Cube best by 8.6 percent to 44.52 seconds.

The momentum continued as Santiago David Cuestas Marin registered his first ever attempt at Clock with a time of 34.56 seconds across four disciplines. Ivan Samuel Avila Zapata entered two events and improved his Pyraminx single by 22.3 percent down to 7.37 seconds. Julian Enrique Baron Cabrera contested three events and trimmed his Pyraminx best to 11.25 seconds, an improvement of 22.1 percent over his previous mark. Samuel Nicolas Pinzon Mendez focused on a single event, dropping his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 21.9 percent to 35.64 seconds, demonstrating the progress happening throughout the ranks at this cubing competition.

At the front of the pack, Michael Andres Castillo Lemus delivered an extraordinary showing by winning four separate disciplines. In the classic Rubik's Cube, Castillo Lemus claimed top honors in the final 3x3 results, posting a winning average of 9.08 seconds across three rounds, backed by the best single of the event at 7.20 seconds. Lorenzo Gonzalez took second place with an average of 10.13 seconds, while Eduard Esteban García Domínguez finished third with an 11.87 average among forty-three entrants.

Castillo Lemus extended his mastery across the bigger and smaller puzzles alike. In the 4x4x4 Cube, he earned the title with a 30.28 average and a 25.77 single, leading Gonzalez in second at 35.01 and Santiago Solano Zarate in third at 48.18. In 2x2x2 Cube, Castillo Lemus prevailed through three rounds with a winning average of 3.37 seconds, just ahead of Gonzalez at 3.45 and Brayan Alexander Sandoval Camacho at 4.63. He then added a fourth victory in Square-1, winning the single-round event with an average of 20.10 seconds, followed by Dennis Rosero at 22.03 and Diego Alejandro Casas Jimenez at 32.33.

Dennis Rosero also enjoyed a stellar outing, taking home two tournament victories. In Pyraminx, Rosero secured first place with an average of 6.32 seconds, besting Castillo Lemus who averaged 6.50 and Sandoval Camacho who finished third at 7.10. Rosero doubled his title tally in Clock, clocking a winning average of 10.39 seconds to edge out Casas Jimenez at 10.47 and García Domínguez at 14.39, showcasing high dexterity in specialized disciplines.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded event rounded out the schedule, where Brayan Alexander Sandoval Camacho achieved the gold medal with a single time of 59.05 seconds, the only sub-minute result in the field. Casas Jimenez claimed second place with a time of 2:56.82, while Camilo Quintero earned third place in 7:18.33. All twenty-one podium positions at Lebrija 2023 were earned by competitors representing Colombia, highlighting deep regional ability.

As the tables were packed away at the Casa de la Cultura, the speed cubing gathering in Santander concluded with enduring impressions for all who attended. From the first official solves of aspiring competitors to multi-event triumphs at the top, Lebrija 2023 provided a stage for growth, technical precision, and community achievement that will resonate into the next season of play.

Un total de 44 competidores se congregaron en un unico e intenso dia de velocidad en la Casa de la Cultura, marcando una jornada vibrante de speedcubing. El ambiente fue de colaboracion constante mientras la comunidad se reunia para compartir tecnicas, resolver dudas y apoyarse mutuamente entre cada una de las 14 rondas programadas en Lebrija, Santander, Colombia, celebradas el 16 de julio de 2023.

El certamen ofrecio un programa diverso compuesto por 7 pruebas oficiales, donde la concentracion habitual de los tableros dio paso a momentos compartidos entre familiares y amigos en cada descanso. La competencia en Lebrija 2023 demostro la solidez del talento nacional al copar todos los 21 escalones de podio disponibles con atletas de Colombia, reflejando el progreso colectivo del pais en las diversas categorias.

En la categoria reina del cubo de Rubik tradicional, Michael Andres Castillo Lemus alcanzo el triunfo con un promedio de 9.08 segundos en la ronda final, tras registrar un mejor intento de 7.20 entre los 43 participantes. Lorenzo Gonzalez aseguro la segunda casilla con un registro de 10.13, mientras que Eduard Esteban Garcia Dominguez completo el cuadro de honor al registrar una media de 11.87 segundos.

Michael Andres Castillo Lemus continuo con una actuacion dominante al conquistar tambien el triunfo en el cubo 4x4x4 con una media de 30.28 y un mejor tiempo de 25.77 frente a 14 participantes, seguido de Lorenzo Gonzalez con 35.01 y Santiago Solano Zarate con 48.18. Asimismo, en Square-1, Castillo Lemus se llevo la primera posicion con un registro de 20.10, superando a Dennis Rosero con 22.03 y a Diego Alejandro Casas Jimenez con 32.33.

La versatilidad de Michael Andres Castillo Lemus se extendio al cubo 2x2x2, donde gano con una media de 3.37 por delante de Lorenzo Gonzalez, quien marco 3.45, y Brayan Alexander Sandoval Camacho con 4.63. Por su parte, Dennis Rosero impuso su ritmo en Clock ganando con un promedio de 10.39, apenas por encima de Diego Alejandro Casas Jimenez con 10.47 y Eduard Esteban Garcia Dominguez con 14.39. En Pyraminx, Rosero volvio a triunfar con 6.32, superando los 6.50 de Castillo Lemus y los 7.10 de Sandoval Camacho.

La siempre exigente modalidad a ciegas requirio maxima concentracion para la memorizacion y resolucion sin vision, consagrando a Brayan Alexander Sandoval Camacho con una marca ganadora de 59.05 segundos en 3x3x3 Blindfolded. Diego Alejandro Casas Jimenez consiguio el segundo lugar con 2:56.82, mientras que Camilo Quintero se adjudico el tercer puesto parando el cronometro en 7:18.33 entre los 6 aspirantes que afrontaron el desafio.

Detras de los resultados principales, la cita escondio historias memorables de progreso individual. Natalia Mendoza afronto 5 pruebas y logro una marca personal de 52.45 en Clock, un 12.6% mas rapida que su registro previo de 59.99, ademas de marcar 22.29 en 3x3x3 Cube. Nicholas Valdiviezo compitio en 3 eventos, firmo su mejor actuacion con un septimo lugar en 4x4x4 Cube y logro un tiempo personal de 54.18, mejorando un 15.9% su anterior 1:04.41. Jhosep Santiago Torres Merchan registro en Pyraminx un tiempo de 17.35, rebajando un 15.3% su marca previa de 20.49 tras presentarse en 3 modalidades. A su vez, Juan Diego Almeida Montes bajo un 14.6% su registro en 3x3x3 Cube al parar el reloj en 38.74 sobre su marca de 45.38.

La jornada tambien dio la bienvenida a varios debutantes que vivieron su primera competencia de la WCA en Lebrija 2023. Camilo Andres Diaz Rueda disputo 3 pruebas completando su primer intento en 2x2x2 Cube con 13.16, en 3x3x3 Cube con 48.44 y en Pyraminx con 19.79. Jhon Sebastian Alarcon Quiroga tambien afronto 3 modalidades con primeros registros oficiales de 33.94 en 3x3x3 Cube, 12.12 en Pyraminx y 6.41 en 2x2x2 Cube. Oscar Sneyder Parra Cardenas compitio en 3 eventos marcando 15.73 en Pyraminx y 35.62 en 3x3x3 Cube. Finalmente, Miguel Angel Robles Fonseca se estreno en 2 eventos con registros de 16.86 en 2x2x2 Cube y 1:19.63 en 3x3x3 Cube.

El cierre de actividades en Lebrija 2023 dejo un balance positivo para todos los asistentes que compartieron su aficion a lo largo de las mesas de practica y competencia. La cita deportiva consolido vinculos personales y renovo la motivacion de los competidores colombianos para continuar perfeccionando sus tiempos en el circuito oficial de cara a los proximos torneos de la temporada.