Paraguay Nationals 2023

A blistering 9.08-second average in the 3x3x3 Cube final from Elías Villamayor was the standout result at Paraguay Nationals 2023, setting a fierce pace for the weekend. The competition, held in Asunción, Paraguay on December 17, 2023, brought together 33 competitors tackling 10 events over 11 rounds. While blindfolded events, which demand immense concentration and memorisation, were absent from the schedule, the technical demands of speedcubing were on full display across the 10 fast-paced events contested at Pixels.

Villamayor’s dominance extended beyond the standard Rubik's Cube. He secured victories in 3x3x3 One-Handed with an average of 17.67 seconds and Pyraminx with an average of 5.74 seconds. In the 3x3x3 Cube, he was joined on the podium by David Emmanuel Velozo Cabrera, who took second with a 9.69 average, and Martin Alejandro Benítez López in third with 10.42. The 3x3 results highlighted the top tier of talent present at this WCA competition.

The 2x2x2 Cube saw Martin Alejandro Benítez López secure victory with a winning average of 2.91 seconds and a best single of 1.70 seconds. He was followed by Elías Villamayor in second and David Emmanuel Velozo Cabrera in third. The 4x4x4 Cube crown went to David Emmanuel Velozo Cabrera, who averaged 41.30 seconds, ahead of Villamayor and Benítez López. The depth of talent across these core speed cubing disciplines made for a thrilling day of competition.

Gustavo Adolfo Ortega Gomez of Venezuela claimed two titles, winning the Megaminx with an average of 1:33.55 and the Square-1 with a 24.09 average. Dary Leandro Wladimir Cano Galeano won the 5x5x5 Cube, averaging 1:23.90, while Elias Miguel Acosta Acosta took the Skewb title with an average of 7.56 seconds. Carlos Benjamin Mereles Martinez secured the Clock event with a 10.97-second average. Competitors representing Paraguay took 27 of the 30 available podium places.

The depth of a cubing competition is often found away from the podium places. Cristhian Fabricio Uliambre Villasanti delivered a remarkable 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 6.33 seconds, a massive 50.3% improvement on his previous best. He also improved his 3x3x3 Cube best by 28.2% to 30.03 seconds and made his first ever attempt at Pyraminx, clocking 13.26 seconds. Carlos Rafael Gutiérrez González slashed his Pyraminx personal best by 47.3% down to 7.13 seconds. Tobías Benjamín Funez Coronel dropped his 3x3x3 One-Handed best by 41.7% to 31.80 seconds.

Jorge Sol improved his Skewb personal best by 24.1% with a 17.37-second solve, taking on five events across the weekend. Angel Daniel Gonzalez Gonzalez made his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed, recording a 29.33-second solve, and improved his 2x2x2 Cube best by 14.8%. Silas Núñez Ortiz competed in five events in his first WCA competition, making his first ever attempts at 2x2x2 Cube, 3x3x3 Cube, and Megaminx. Iñigo Franco Martínez took on five events, making his first ever attempts at 4x4x4 Cube, 2x2x2 Cube, and Pyraminx. Josias Aguilera completed his first ever attempts at 3x3x3 Cube and 2x2x2 Cube.

The schedule at Paraguay Nationals 2023 offered a broad test of skills across the 10 events. From the heavy turning of the 5x5x5 Cube to the dial manipulations of the Clock, the variety of puzzles required diverse techniques. The concentration required across a full day of speedcubing, managing nerves and expectations round after round, is a significant challenge for competitors at every level of the sport.

As the dust settled in Asunción, the results from Paraguay Nationals 2023 reflected a growing and enthusiastic community. The combination of established competitors securing multiple titles and newer participants pushing their personal boundaries marked a successful conclusion to the event. The focus and dedication required to master these puzzles continue to drive the progression of the sport across the region.