Rio Lama Barquisimeto 2023

40 competitors gathered at C.C. Rio Lama on November 11, 2023, turning a single-day gathering into a display of sharp form and high-level execution. The Venezuelan cubing community saw established figures show off their hard work across 7 rounds and 4 distinct events. Rio Lama Barquisimeto 2023 provided the stage for seasoned competitors who reaffirmed their command across multiple disciplines in Barquisimeto, Lara, Venezuela. From the fast-paced two-by-two through the complex twelve-sided dodecahedron, the tournament delivered a focused demonstration of technical solving.

The 3x3x3 Cube served as the centerpiece of the program, drawing 39 competitors across 3 intense rounds of Rubik's Cube action. Louis Rodriguez Guerrero proved to be the standout performer, taking top honors with a winning average of 8.49 seconds and securing the event's best single of 7.63 seconds. Bernardo Torres followed closely behind to claim second place with an average of 8.56 seconds. Rafael Antonio Sanchez locked in third place with an average of 9.84 seconds, completing an all-Venezuelan podium and setting the benchmark in the 3x3 results.

Guerrero carried that strong momentum directly into the 4x4x4 Cube, which featured 11 competitors battling across 2 rounds. Demonstrating total mastery over the bigger puzzle, Guerrero secured his second championship of the weekend with a winning average of 28.21 seconds and a low single of 23.77 seconds. Torres once again proved to be a formidable challenger, earning the runner-up spot with an average of 30.11 seconds. Sanchez took the third step on the podium with an average of 46.75 seconds.

The 2x2x2 Cube saw 15 competitors face off in a rapid, single-round format where precision left no room for error. Sanchez claimed the title thanks to a winning average of 3.10 seconds and an impressive best single of 1.79 seconds. Torres finished just fractions behind in second place with an average of 3.17 seconds, while Edgar Briceño completed the podium in third with a mark of 3.92 seconds. The event was packed with personal bests, illustrating how quickly competitors navigated the short solves.

In the Megaminx event, 5 competitors took on the grueling challenge across a single round of solving. Torres captured first place with a winning average of 50.50 seconds and a best single of 44.38 seconds, completing his set of podium finishes. Sanchez took second place with an average of 54.00 seconds, and Guerrero secured third place with an average of 1:04.35. The result meant all 12 podium places across the four official disciplines remained with competitors representing Venezuela.

Beyond the championship battles at Rio Lama Barquisimeto 2023, several competitors made huge strides on the official tables. Daniel Josue Martinez Sanchez recorded a major breakthrough in the 3x3x3 Cube, posting a personal best of 19.00 seconds, which was 65.7 percent faster than his previous mark of 55.37 seconds. Sebastián Colmenarez delivered a massive performance across 2 events, logging a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 10.88 seconds to beat his previous best by 49.3 percent on his way to 6th place, while also tackling his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 1:09.93. Alejandro Josué Silva Pérez dropped his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 43.7 percent down to 30.40 seconds.

Other competitors took on brand new challenges and pushed their personal milestones further during the speedcubing schedule. Daniel Carrizalez entered 3 events, locking in a 5th-place finish in 4x4x4 Cube, setting a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 13.51 seconds that improved on his old mark by 27.8 percent, and completing his first ever official attempts in 2x2x2 Cube at 4.81 seconds and 4x4x4 Cube at 57.56 seconds. Ángel Leonardo Baez Guillén cut 40.8 percent off his 2x2x2 Cube mark with a new personal best of 8.92 seconds. Diego Josué Martinez Sánchez lowered his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 36 percent to 31.15 seconds, Andrés Daniel Azuaje Camacho improved his 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 5.25 seconds, and Johann Daniel Rea Ballesteros made his first WCA competition appearance, finishing 7th in 2x2x2 Cube with a first attempt of 5.48 seconds.

The single-day meet highlighted how much regional depth exists within Venezuelan speed cubing as experienced solvers consistently hit their marks. Bringing together 40 participants for 7 rounds of competition at C.C. Rio Lama, the event showed how veteran composure sets the tone for high-stakes solving. Rio Lama Barquisimeto 2023 stands as a prime example of an efficient, well-run cubing competition that rewarded consistency, sharp execution, and dedication on the competition floor.