Salados en Mexicali 2026

Inside Plaza la Cachanilla, the hum of turning layers, the snap of puzzle mechanisms, and the steady tap of hands hitting timing mats filled the open space. Cubers gathered around competition tables, adjusting tensions, applying lubricant, and taking deep breaths before each official attempt. For those stepping up to the judging stations for their very first official solves, the environment offered a lively mix of anticipation and focus. The venue in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico provided an engaging setting for an intense single-day meeting where twenty competitors assembled to test their skills across six distinct disciplines.

Held on July 4, 2026, Salados en Mexicali 2026 brought together a dedicated field of solvers ranging from seasoned veterans to those making early strides in the sport. A sanctioned WCA competition always carries a distinct atmosphere, especially for debutants experiencing the strict protocols of inspection and timer operation for the first time. The one-day schedule featured twelve rounds in total, giving participants ample opportunities to push their limits on the classic Rubik's Cube as well as specialty puzzles like Clock and Pyraminx.

Beyond the battle for titles, much of the energy at this cubing competition came from individual milestones achieved across the field. Tony Hernández Solis produced one of the sharpest personal bests of the meeting in Skewb, recording an average of 7.49 seconds that was 32.4 percent faster than his previous mark of 11.08, while also earning a 7th place finish across four entered events. Rodrigo Garduño Cárdenas put together a busy five-event campaign highlighted by an 8th place finish in Pyraminx and substantial breakthroughs elsewhere, lowering his Skewb mark by 29.1 percent to 17.30 seconds, improving his 3x3x3 Cube best by 19.8 percent down to 16.38, and chopping 13.2 percent off his Clock mark to reach 23.73.

Other competitors took on brand new challenges that enriched the weekend. Ezequiel Chee entered five events and recorded his first ever official attempt at Skewb with a 5.76 result, while also finishing 4th in Pyraminx, cutting 10.2 percent from his Clock best down to 18.80 seconds, and trimming his 3x3x3 Cube best by 3.5 percent to 20.71. Ailyn Stephanie González Ornelas tackled two disciplines, registering her first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a mark of 13.90 on her way to 9th place, and taking 19.8 percent off her previous best in the 3x3x3 Cube to finish with an average of 30.25 seconds.

At the top of the standings, Ian Yazid Zavala mounted an extraordinary campaign by capturing first place in every single discipline contested throughout the tournament. The main 3x3 results saw Zavala dominate the 18-competitor field over two rounds, posting an 8.55-second winning average and a best single solve of 8.27 seconds in the final. Andrés Garduño Cárdenas secured second place on the podium with a 9.52 average, followed closely by Andrik Dilan Plata Santana, who earned third place with a 10.34 average in an all-Mexico top three.

Zavala carried his dominant form directly into 3x3x3 One-Handed, outlasting a field of thirteen competitors across two rounds. Navigating the unique physical demands of solving with a single hand, Zavala registered a winning average of 14.59 seconds along with a quick 12.96 single. Andrés Garduño Cárdenas claimed another podium spot by taking second place with an average of 17.79 seconds, while Nitin Kumar from the United States secured third place with an 18.17 average.

The larger puzzles and side events continued the same narrative of precision at Salados en Mexicali 2026. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which drew twelve entrants across two rounds, Zavala delivered the fastest average of 31.85 seconds, complemented by the best single of 29.38. Christofer Alejandro Aguirre Robledo took second place with a 38.28 average, while Daniel Isaac Garcia Arechiga rounded out the top three with 42.17 seconds.

The specialty events moved rapidly through two rounds each, testing diverse solving techniques. In Clock, Zavala secured victory with a 4.24-second average and a 3.36 single, finishing ahead of Dereck Armando Velázquez De La O in second with 8.64 and Jesús Armando Aguirre Ibarra in third with 11.07. Pyraminx saw Zavala take top honours on a 3.65 average, holding off Zaira Calderón Patiño in second at 4.39 and Velázquez De La O in third at 7.58. Skewb concluded the clean sweep as Zavala won with a 3.28 average, followed by Náyade Sophia Zavala in second with 4.64 and Daniel Isaac Garcia Arechiga in third with 7.66.

When the final scores were tallied across all six events, Mexican solvers took seventeen podium positions, while the United States secured one. The gathering served as a vibrant showcase of high-level speed cubing talent in the region while giving emerging solvers a memorable taste of official competition. As the tables were packed up and timers powered down, the day closed with meaningful breakthroughs for competitors across every stage of their development.

Ian Yazid Zavala firmo una actuacion historica al consagrarse campeon en las seis categorias disputadas durante Salados en Mexicali 2026. La jornada celebrada en Plaza la Cachanilla puso a prueba a veinte competidores en doce rondas exhaustivas estructuradas a dos etapas por modalidad. Este formato de eliminacion directa filtro a los mejores clasificados hacia definiciones muy parejas, donde Zavala impuso un ritmo dominante que comenzo con un registro de 8.55 segundos de promedio en la gran final del cubo clasico.

El certamen desarrollado el 4 de julio en Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, concentro un calendario intenso para los especialistas del speedcubing. En la final del cubo de 3x3x3, Zavala se corono gracias a un registro medio de 8.55 con un mejor intento de 8.27. Andres Garduno Cardenas ocupo la segunda posicion con 9.52, mientras que Andrik Dilan Plata Santana negocio el tercer peldanio de la prueba estelar marcando 10.34 para sellar una final de muy alto nivel tecnico.

La categoria de 3x3x3 a una mano volvio a situar a los mismos protagonistas en la lucha directa contra el cronometro tras superar el corte previo de trece participantes. Ian Yazid Zavala alcanzo el primer lugar con un promedio de 14.59 y un mejor tiempo de 12.96. Andres Garduno Cardenas aseguro el subcampeonato con 17.79, al tiempo que Nitin Kumar, representante de Estados Unidos, consiguio la tercera casilla al cerrar su actuacion con 18.17.

El formato de dos rondas tambien demando precision absoluta en el cubo de 4x4x4, donde doce aspirantes midieron sus giros en busca de los tiempos de corte. Ian Yazid Zavala subio a lo mas alto del podio con un promedio de 31.85 y un mejor giro individual de 29.38. La plata correspondio a Christofer Alejandro Aguirre Robledo con 38.28, seguido por Daniel Isaac Garcia Arechiga, quien garantizo el tercer lugar con una marca media de 42.17.

En los eventos de Clock y Pyraminx, el rigor clasificatorio mantuvo la tension constante entre los contendientes. Zavala domino Clock con una media de 4.24 y un mejor tiempo de 3.36, escoltado por Dereck Armando Velazquez De La O con 8.64 y Jesus Armando Aguirre Ibarra con 11.07. En Pyraminx, Zavala volvio a triunfar con 3.65 de promedio, dejando la segunda posicion para Zaira Calderon Patino con 4.39 y el tercer escalon para Dereck Armando Velazquez De La O con 7.58.

La competencia mostro grandes progresos lejos de los puestos de honor habituales. Alexandra Beltran Guillen, con doce certamenes oficiales en su trayectoria, compitio en cuatro eventos distintos y firmo un registro personal de 1:11.91 en el cubo de 4x4x4, ademas de asegurarse la quinta posicion en Clock. Por su parte, Elias Gabriel Martinez Vazques vivio su primera competencia WCA, completando su debut absoluto en el cubo de 3x3x3 con un intento inicial de 33.72 y finalizando en el decimosexto puesto.

El esfuerzo de los participantes tambien se reflejo en actuaciones muy completas a traves de multiples disciplinas. Cesar Gustavo Cecena Lara abarco un demandante programa de seis eventos en total, destacando con una sexta posicion en la prueba de Pyraminx. Asimismo, David Emmanuel Osuna Melero se presento en dos modalidades sobre las mesas de juego y obtuvo el octavo lugar en el cubo de 3x3x3, consolidando un fin de semana productivo ante rivales de gran consistencia tecnica.

La prueba de Skewb cerro el pleno de victorias de Zavala en Salados en Mexicali 2026, estableciendo una media ganadora de 3.28 frente a Nayade Sophia Zavala, quien quedo segunda con 4.64, y Daniel Isaac Garcia Arechiga, tercero con 7.66. La distribucion de podios concluyo con diecisiete puestos para competidores de Mexico y uno para Estados Unidos, cerrando una vibrante competencia de cubo de Rubik en la ciudad de Mexicali durante la temporada 2026.