UTN Open 2026

The competition hall inside the Universidad Técnica del Norte buzzed with focused energy as timers beeped and plastic mechanisms whirred across solving stations. Fifty-five competitors gathered on July 11, 2026, setting up an intense single-day display of speedcubing skill. Spectators and participants packed the venue in Ibarra, Ecuador, watching hands fly across scrambled puzzles in pursuit of regional glory and personal milestones. The stage was set for an unforgettable day of domestic competition spanning six distinct disciplines and nine total rounds.

Local standout Anthony Gerard Álvarez Ludeña turned the tournament into a personal masterclass, claiming five titles on home soil. His campaign featured exceptional versatility across mechanical formats, from standard speedsolving to high-concentration specialty categories. In the premier 3x3x3 Cube event, Álvarez Ludeña navigated three rounds against 53 competitors to secure top honours with a winning average of 9.76 seconds, backed by a best single time of 8.51 seconds. His commanding performance gave the host nation a dominant presence across every category.

The premier 3x3 results confirmed Ecuador sweeping all three podium steps. Fabrizzio Alejandro Peñafiel Mena pushed the pace in the final round, taking second place with an average of 9.92 seconds, while Sebastián Mateo España Chango earned third place with a mark of 10.91 seconds. The Rubik's Cube classic discipline showcased sharp execution from all three finalists, but Álvarez Ludeña held firm under pressure to lead the standings at UTN Open 2026.

Álvarez Ludeña also left his mark in the national record books during his sweep. In 3x3x3 Blindfolded, an event demanding precise memorisation and execution without sight, he secured the win with a national record average of 58.86 seconds, posting a best single of 50.23. Luis Fernando Aldás Cuestas took second with 1:07.98, and Kristie Daniela Andrade Puente placed third in 2:13.26. Álvarez Ludeña added a second national record in 3x3x3 One-Handed, setting the mark with a 12.14 single on his way to victory with a 14.65 average, ahead of Matías José Morales López in 15.80 and Peñafiel Mena in 22.24.

The smaller and larger cubes further highlighted the local favourite's control. Álvarez Ludeña won the 2x2x2 Cube with a rapid 2.09 average, besting Raúl Gómez who finished in 2.37 and España Chango who logged 3.82. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Álvarez Ludeña posted a winning average of 38.93 seconds and a sharp 30.56 single, leading Peñafiel Mena who recorded 48.36 and Morales López who finished in 49.22. Across the board, all eighteen podium positions at UTN Open 2026 went to Ecuadorian competitors.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several competitors delivered massive personal breakthroughs. Jaily Cataleya Pozo Chugá made a memorable appearance in two events, recording a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with 11.19 and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 50.17 seconds, which was 52 percent faster than their previous best of 1:44.47. Abril Cabezas Moreno entered four events and achieved an eighth-place finish in 3x3x3 Cube while cutting their Pyraminx best down to 2.76 seconds, a 49.7 percent improvement over 5.49. Martín Calle tackled two events, lowering their 2x2x2 Cube best by 24.2 percent to 6.03 seconds and shaving 10.3 percent off their 3x3x3 Cube mark to reach 17.09 seconds. Daniel Alejandro Reina Yepez improved their 3x3x3 Cube best by 21.8 percent, bringing it down to 15.75 seconds.

Progress continued throughout the roster at this official WCA competition. Sergio Joaquin Kastillo Portilla took on three events, finishing 11th in Pyraminx and setting personal bests in 2x2x2 Cube with 6.75, Pyraminx with 7.11, and 3x3x3 Cube with 18.55. Elías Julián Montalvo Cabrera improved their 3x3x3 Cube time by 18.4 percent down to 1:09.29, while Joseph Jeanpierre Serrano Yanqui logged a personal best of 45.23 seconds, an improvement of 17.1 percent. María José Ortega Andrade competed in three events, placing sixth in Pyraminx with a new best of 3.27 seconds, an 18.7 percent drop, and cutting their 3x3x3 Cube record to 15.13 seconds.

The lone event that eluded Álvarez Ludeña was the Pyraminx, where Alejandro Velasquez Torres produced a standout performance. Velasquez Torres captured the title with a 5.83 average and a 5.09 single across 21 competitors. Álvarez Ludeña secured the runner-up spot in 7.06 seconds, closely followed by Alan Ismael Chandi Jara in third place with a 7.17 average. The triangular puzzle added another layer of excitement to a packed schedule of speed cubing action.

The day concluded with celebrations of domestic talent across the Universidad Técnica del Norte campus. With two national records, five gold medals for Álvarez Ludeña, and widespread personal bests throughout the 55-person roster, UTN Open 2026 provided an exceptional showcase of Ecuadorian speedsolving strength that sets a strong foundation for the remainder of the 2026 competition season.