Na'Guara Metropolis Lara 2024

A single blistering turn sequence can turn heads, but disciplined consistency across five solves builds champions. At Na'Guara Metropolis Lara 2024, held on December 7, 2024, Bernardo Torres demonstrated that exacting standard by winning the signature 3x3x3 Cube event with an 8.17 winning average. Torres complemented his podium-topping mark with a best single of 7.70 across three competitive rounds, setting the pace in a showcase where steady hands repeatedly triumphed over sheer erratic speed.

The one-day WCA competition transformed C.C. Metrópolis in Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela into an active arena for Venezuelan speed cubing. A total of 28 competitors gathered to test their skills across five distinct disciplines and seven total rounds of action. Throughout the schedule, athletes representing Venezuela swept all 15 podium positions, delivering memorable finishes and tight contests in each event bracket.

The classic Rubik's Cube drew a field of 28 competitors through three demanding rounds of 3x3 results. Torres stayed composed to secure the title, fending off Louis Rodriguez Guerrero who locked in second place with an 8.63 average. Santiago David Paz Gutierrez claimed third place on the podium with a 9.27 average, capping an intense final where steady solve counts proved decisive.

Torres carried that same metronomic control into the Megaminx event, where complex dodecahedron puzzles demand sustained stamina. Facing a field of 11 competitors, Torres earned his second victory of the cubing competition with a 41.93 winning average and a best single of 37.06. Rafael Antonio Sanchez followed in second place at 47.17, while Louis Rodriguez Guerrero took third with 53.49.

Rodriguez Guerrero found his own golden moment in the 4x4x4 Cube, topping a roster of 12 competitors in a single decisive round. His 27.80 winning average and 25.93 best single placed him ahead of Torres, who claimed second place with a 29.27 average. Sebastián Andrés González Coronel rounded out the top three by capturing third place with a 40.58 average.

In the high-speed format of the 2x2x2 Cube, Rafael Antonio Sanchez took top honors among 17 competitors with a crisp 2.68 winning average and an event-best 1.76 single. Cristofer Azuaje finished just behind in second place with a 2.86 average, while Torres secured third place with 4.40. Azuaje later claimed the top spot in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, navigating 16 competitors with a winning average of 14.29 and a 12.07 single, besting Torres at 15.46 and Rodriguez Guerrero at 18.13.

Away from the top of the podium, several under-the-radar competitors delivered exceptional personal breakthroughs across the weekend. Daniel Josue Martinez Sanchez entered four events, earned a fifth-place finish in 3x3x3 One-Handed during his first ever attempt with a mark of 17.40, and logged personal bests of 4.75 in 2x2x2 Cube, which was 40.8% faster, and 11.62 in 3x3x3 Cube, which was 38.8% faster. Diego Bastidas tackled two events, posting a 7.00 mark in his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube and dropping his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 36.7% to 13.55. Sebastián Colmenarez finished 10th in 4x4x4 Cube while cutting his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark by 49.8% to 25.42 and his 4x4x4 Cube time by 16.2% to 58.63. Diego Josué Martinez Sánchez also improved substantially, cutting 44.1% off his 3x3x3 Cube best to reach 17.40 and trimming 27.7% off his 2x2x2 Cube time to hit 4.80.

The progress continued with Rafael Arturo Lucena Vivas, who entered four events, made his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a 5.61, and cut 18.6% off his 3x3x3 One-Handed best to record 24.50. Alejandro Josué Silva Pérez registered a 6.40 in his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube while achieving a 10.6% improvement in 3x3x3 Cube with a 27.19. Jhonnel Carrizalez recorded a 1:24.67 in his first ever attempt at Megaminx on the way to a sixth-place finish alongside an 11.67 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube. Meanwhile, Santiago Carrillo took on an ambitious five events during his first speedcubing tournament appearance, recording marks of 43.13 in 2x2x2 Cube and 41.89 in 3x3x3 Cube.

The successful conclusion of Na'Guara Metropolis Lara 2024 underlined the deep talent present in Barquisimeto across both sprint formats and technical puzzles. With multi-event standouts demonstrating high-level consistency and emerging solvers achieving massive personal leaps, the Venezuelan speedcubing community established a sharp competitive standard heading into the 2024 season.