Pre-Nacionales UP 2023

Thirty-seven competitors gathered at Universidad de Panamá on July 8, 2023, turning ten intense rounds of speedcubing into a showcase of sheer individual progression. The single-day gathering brought a packed schedule of seven official disciplines to Panama City, Panama. While trophies and titles were decided across a demanding timetable, the day was defined by the massive margins by which solvers elevated their personal standards across every puzzle format.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew the largest field of the weekend, testing solvers over two full rounds. When the 3x3 results were finalised in the decisive final, Egdar Castillo topped the standings with a winning average of 10.78 seconds, backed by the best single of the event at 9.82 seconds. Miguel Ángel Hernández earned the runner-up spot with an average of 11.23 seconds, while Juan David Pérez took third place with a 13.19 average to round out an all-Panamanian podium in classic Rubik's Cube solving.

Miguel Ángel Hernández mounted an exceptional campaign across multiple disciplines, securing victories in both the 4x4x4 Cube and 3x3x3 One-Handed categories. In the 4x4x4 final, Hernández produced a winning average of 41.73 seconds, narrowly edging Egdar Castillo, who clocked a 41.78 average, with Egdar Antonio Castillo Gonzalez finishing third at 51.01. Hernández added his second gold in one-handed solving, posting a 17.52 average and a best single of 14.71 seconds to finish ahead of Juan David Pérez at 19.76 and Egdar Castillo at 22.98.

Juan David Pérez proved just as dominant across the niche events, securing two victories of his own. In the Clock event, Pérez navigated the dials to register an 8.61 winning average with a quick 7.87 single, holding off Egdar Castillo, who averaged 8.92 seconds, and Egdar Antonio Castillo Gonzalez, who averaged 12.43. Pérez followed that triumph with a gold medal in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, recording a successful single of 1:13.34 in a discipline where memorisation and spatial recall dictate every move, finishing ahead of Egdar Castillo.

The shorter events produced explosive speeds and tight margins. In the 2x2x2 Cube final, Misael Peñafiel captured first place with an impressive 3.03 average and a 2.50 single, leading Juan David Pérez at 4.01 and Ezequiel Cedeño at 4.84. Meanwhile, the Pyraminx bracket saw Egdar Antonio Castillo Gonzalez rise to the top step with a winning average of 5.56 seconds and a 3.78 single, holding off Cesar Augusto Rodríguez Medina at 5.82 seconds and Miguel Ángel Hernández at 7.29.

Beyond the championship races, personal milestones and breakthroughs defined the atmosphere of the cubing competition. Tomas Alfaro took on six different events, securing a 7th place finish in Clock, completing his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed in 59.97, his first 4x4x4 Cube attempt in 1:46.85, and cutting his 2x2x2 Cube best down to 2.99, an improvement of 68.1 percent. Allen Ameth Arias Castillo tackled five events, finishing 6th in Clock while dropping his Pyraminx personal best to 4.97 seconds, which was 65.6 percent faster than before. Sam Zhong entered four events, posting an 8.76 in his first ever attempt at Pyraminx alongside a 14.95 personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube, which was 39 percent faster. Lynette Alicia Chan Zhu secured 6th place in 2x2x2 Cube while cutting her one-handed best down by 52.6 percent to 30.38 seconds.

That surge of progress continued across the rest of the roster at this WCA competition. Omar Arrocha took on five events, logging his first official 4x4x4 Cube solve at 1:44.87 and a Pyraminx attempt of 14.69, while slashing his 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 2.62 seconds, an improvement of 66.1 percent. Maria Huang finished 4th in 3x3x3 One-Handed while trimming her 4x4x4 Cube best by 22.3 percent down to 58.76 seconds. In their first ever WCA competition, Juan Carlos Sánchez Calderón placed 9th in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 1:30.19 attempt and recorded 30.23 in the 3x3x3 Cube, while Isaí Alejandro Jaramillo Frías marked their debut with official attempts across three events, solving the 3x3x3 Cube in 37.96 seconds.

The 2023 edition of Pre-Nacionales UP 2023 demonstrated the depth of talent and technical skill present throughout the region. From the multi-event triumphs of Hernández, Castillo, and Pérez to the dozens of personal records achieved down the order, the competition provided a clear benchmark of speed cubing excellence. Solvers left Panama City with fresh milestones logged and a strong foundation built for the upcoming competitive calendar.

With all twenty-one podium positions claimed by local talent across seven events, Pre-Nacionales UP 2023 served as a comprehensive display of focus and steady development. Each round offered tangible evidence of individual dedication, ensuring that every solver who stepped up to the timer walked away with valuable stage experience and measurable progress in their craft.