You Better Belize It 2023

Anthony Brooks delivered the defining performance in Punta Gorda, BZE, Belize, capturing the classic Rubik's Cube title with an 8.26 winning average and a round-best 7.74 single. The three-round 3x3x3 showdown capped an intense clash between traveling international standouts and local contenders. Across March 18 to March 19, the TCC Toledo Community College Auditorium staged You Better Belize It 2023, drawing 22 competitors to contest eight different events over ten rounds of high-stakes speedcubing action.

The tournament quickly transformed into a fierce regional duel across the podium standings. Competitors representing the USA amassed 14 podium positions, while Costa Rica collected seven and host nation Belize claimed four. Every bracket highlighted this border-crossing competition, with top seeds trading blows across twisty puzzles ranging from lightning-fast sprints to demanding multi-layered cubes in an exhilarating cubing competition environment.

In the main event, the USA swept the 3x3 results entirely. Brooks led the way for gold, while Matthew Mayernik locked down the second step on the podium with an 11.87 average. Brian Brooks secured the third spot with a mark of 12.69, holding off the regional challenge in a field of 21 entrants. The battle set a high standard for the rest of the weekend program in Punta Gorda.

Costa Rica answered back emphatically through Jose Daniel Solano Rodríguez, who dominated the heavier hardware. Solano Rodríguez earned a triple crown of gold medals, winning the 4x4x4 Cube with a 56.33 average, the 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:47.56 mark, and the Skewb final in 8.09 seconds. His individual single of 53.14 on the 4x4x4 Cube and 1:36.82 on the 5x5x5 Cube established clear separation at the top.

The shorter formats sparked further trans-regional rivalries. Mayernik took top honours in the 2x2x2 Cube with a winning average of 3.69 and a rapid 2.33 single, outpacing Brian Brooks at 5.44 and Solano Rodríguez at 5.66. Mayernik also prevailed in the Pyraminx final, registering a 7.16 average ahead of Solano Rodríguez at 8.73 and Kristin Wiley at 12.01. Brooks struck again in One-Handed with a 20.09 average and claimed the Megaminx title in 1:15.62.

Beyond the fight for trophies, the floor showcased substantial individual progression from dedicated participants. Trevor Searle achieved a significant personal milestone in the 3x3x3 Cube, recording a personal best of 29.53 seconds to cut 16.3 percent off a previous best of 35.27 and claim eighth place overall. Andrew Knowles entered two disciplines and logged a first ever official attempt at the 2x2x2 Cube with a mark of 14.55 on the way to seventh place.

For several local athletes, this WCA competition marked their first entry into sanctioned speed cubing. Jose de la Fuente finished fifth in the 3x3x3 Cube after posting an opening official attempt of 15.16 seconds. Jessler Tzot tackled two events, producing a 22.31 single on the 3x3x3 Cube and a 1:06.62 attempt in 3x3x3 One-Handed for sixth place. Fabian Solórzano registered a 1:16.84 in 3x3x3 and a 26.23 in 2x2x2 across two events, while Liam Kelly notched a 20.58 in 2x2x2 and 44.83 in 3x3x3. Godwin Mangar secured ninth in One-Handed alongside a 36.58 3x3x3 attempt, and Jair Olivarez contested the Megaminx to earn fifth place.

Belizean competitors also converted their runs into podium hardware on home soil. Noe Andre Smith captured third place in the 4x4x4 Cube with an average of 1:42.28, took third on Skewb in 24.11, and shared third in the 5x5x5 Cube alongside Christopher Longsworth. Their efforts brought four podium finishes to the home tally during an energetic weekend of international sport in Punta Gorda.

The dual-day gathering demonstrated how shared venues bridge international circuits and emerging scenes alike. From dominant runs by established champions to breakthrough stages for new solvers, the 2023 edition highlighted healthy rivalries across eight distinct puzzles. The closing results set an enduring standard for the regional community as the competition circuit moves onward to future calendar stops.