Tulcan Open 2023

Thirty-one competitors gathered on October 21, 2023, turning Centro Comercial Jardin del Norte into a vibrant hub of speedcubing excellence. The single-day showdown brought ten fast-paced rounds across five distinct events to Tulcan, Ecuador. From the opening turns to the closing podium ceremonies, the atmosphere was defined by fierce rivalries and a relentless chase for fast times, setting a high standard for competitive play in the region during the 2023 season.

The 2x2x2 Cube event became the centerpiece of historical achievements at Tulcan Open 2023, producing a remarkable series of official marks. Colombia standout Jeremias Hidalgo Viveros registered a lightning single of 3.40 seconds alongside a 4.57 average. Ethan Damien Tarco delivered his own outstanding sequence with a 3.84 single and a 4.67 average. Jhonatan Caicedo joined the flurry of milestones with a 3.95 single and a 5.04 average, while Dylan Guevara secured marks of 4.94 and 5.12.

The depth of precision in the 2x2x2 Cube continued as Omar Camilo Díaz Maldonado posted a 4.61 single and 5.28 average, complemented by Germán Daniel Beltrán Jarrín recording 4.35 and 5.82. Ivan Alexander Bonilla Morales achieved a 5.03 single and 6.33 average, while Jean Carlos Echeverría Jácome logged 5.34 and 6.37. Ronny Morocho contributed a 4.01 single and 6.64 average, followed by Andrew Sanchez with a 5.88 single and 7.40 average, completing a comprehensive rewrite of the event ledger.

Ethan Damien Tarco proved to be the dominant force across the overall schedule, capturing three separate titles for Ecuador. In the classic Rubik's Cube, Tarco navigated three rounds against 30 contenders to take the gold with an average of 12.88 seconds and a best single of 11.87. Jhonatan Caicedo claimed the runner-up spot with a 13.73 average, while Dylan Guevara finished third with 14.94 in the decisive final round of 3x3 results.

Tarco extended his commanding run to the 2x2x2 Cube final, winning the event with an average of 4.07 seconds after posting a best single of 3.52 across two rounds of play. Jhonatan Caicedo earned silver with a 4.42 average, and Jeremias Hidalgo Viveros took bronze with 4.66. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, Tarco claimed his third gold of Tulcan Open 2023 by averaging 22.71 seconds, edging Caicedo who averaged 23.12 and Ivan Alexander Bonilla Morales who logged 23.42.

Beyond the title fights, numerous competitors delivered massive personal breakthroughs across the weekend. Alejandro David Montesdeoca Yépez made a huge statement by dropping his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 23.41 seconds, an improvement of 46.3 percent, while also taking on his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a 7.47. Matías Huera cut 42.2 percent off his Pyraminx personal best to record 8.85 seconds and secured a best finish of 5th in the main event. Rafael Aldas improved his 3x3x3 Cube benchmark by 20.7 percent down to 22.85, and Anthony Cusin posted a 12.60 personal best on the 3x3x3 Cube along with a 31.45 in 3x3x3 One-Handed.

First-time event appearances also highlighted the broader dedication within the field. Richard Gómez tackled five different disciplines, achieving a best finish of 6th in Skewb while making his first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 6.21 seconds, 2x2x2 Cube in 7.39, and 3x3x3 One-Handed in 49.31. Marcelo Gabriel Torres Garrido completed his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed in 49.52 seconds. Ángel Calderón marked his first WCA competition by entering four events, taking a best finish of 10th in Skewb with a 19.24 first attempt, while Andrew Sanchez made his debut appearance across four disciplines including a 15.29 first attempt on 3x3x3 Cube.

The remaining puzzle categories delivered sharp, technical contests to complete the five-event roster. Ivan Alexander Bonilla Morales took the top step in Pyraminx with a winning average of 5.99 seconds and a single of 5.79. Tarco placed second in that final with 7.82, narrowly ahead of Germán Daniel Beltrán Jarrín in third at 7.85. In Skewb, Jeremias Hidalgo Viveros earned gold for Colombia with an 8.04 average and 7.47 single, followed by Tarco at 8.75 and Caicedo at 9.11.

The final medal tallies reflected broad regional participation at the WCA competition, with Ecuador securing 13 podium places and Colombia earning two. Every round showcased the focus and preparation required at an official cubing competition, offering spectators high-stakes speed cubing action throughout the day. With memorable records and breakthroughs across the board, Tulcan Open 2023 closed out an exceptional gathering that will resonate into the next season of competitive solving.