Multiplication record holder (2012-2016), winner of the Memoriad Trophy for the world’s fastest calculator in the 2012 Mental Calculation World Cup, gold medallist at multiplication at Memoriad 2012 and MCWC 2012, and world record holder in 2010 for calendar calculations, Freddis Reyes from Cuba has joined us to discuss his experiences competing internationally.
How did you start in mental calculation?
Actually I started because I love sports. I was good at playing football and volleyball – at least in my town! In every sport I practised, even basketball despite my height haha, I was playing very well and I really liked it. But I knew I wasn’t good enough.
Then one time I heard about Yusnier Viera (September 2007) on TV, and heard about his record (20 dates in 20 seconds) but misunderstood, and thought that it was for only one date in 20 seconds. So I spoke with my friend Miguel Ángel, and he encouraged me to try to beat it, because I was always winning at strategy games. “I know you can do it” he said. So in 2 days I made a formula and could calculate a date in 6 seconds, but realized that something must be wrong, because it was so easy. So I checked the TV again and realized that Yusnier had calculated **20** days in 20 seconds. I said okay, maybe Yusnier is faster than me, but he can’t be that much faster! So I knew there must be a better way. So I started to memorize the years, and became faster and faster and faster…
You can also solve 8-by-8 multiplications in less than 20 seconds – how can you be so fast?
For me, multiplication is something different to the other calculation categories – I feel a different type of love for this category. I work a lot on the technique – cross multiplication – so that I can do it very fast. I just concentrate on the speed. I don’t have time to check whether the answer is right. My fastest for a single 8-by-8 multiplication is 11.60 seconds.
And how about accuracy?
Usually when I practise multiplication I just do the first 3-5 questions, I don’t usually practise all 10. I don’t train much for accuracy. That’s bad…
Until late 2016 you were the world record-holder for multiplication – then Jeonghee solved 10 dates in 3:30 to become the new champion. Do you think you could become the champion again?
In training I’m able to break all of the world records in multiplication, so I think I can become champion again!
So you just need good luck?
I don’t like relying on good luck. I’m going to practise training on my accuracy.
What’s your favorite memory from your career so far in mental calculation?
Ah, it’s when I won the gold medal in Memoriad 2012! The moment I won the Memoriad trophy I was very, very happy, but I felt so much adrenaline at that time! Eusebius Noronha – from Memoriad India – said to me that I make many mistakes, and that the kids he trains have better technique and would beat me. So I felt a little angry but happy – you know, I’m a competitive person – I like that kind of conversation! It makes me do my best. In the first round I was the fastest but I made 1 mistake, like Eusebius had predicted, and was in position #5 behind four of the Indians! So I thought, well okay I have only one chance.
In the second question of the second round, I typed a number wrong because my hands were shaking, and it took me 20 seconds to correct it. And then I didn’t know what to do, so I just did the only thing I knew how to do – just type the answers – and when I saw that all my answers were correct I was so incredibly happy!
My second-favorite moment was in MCWC 2012. I thought that Naofumi had won the overall competition (the Memoriad trophy), but Yusnier said to me that I still have a chance, and I didn’t know why because I thought that Naofumi had done too well. But you can see the pictures of my face when it was announced that I had won!
What do you do in the morning of the competition to prepare?
I never sleep good. Never ever. I never sleep more than 4 hours, it’s a disaster. I try to do something special to prepare, but I feel tired because I didn’t sleep well. I end up waking up early and going for a walk.
What are your interests outside of mental calculation?
I became Christian a few months ago, and my life has changed – now I like to spend time reading about God. My work I do now is hard and physically difficult, and I really like it. It’s what I needed to change my character. I don’t have much time to play sports, because I’m working a lot to save money. I run a lot though, I really run a lot now. I’m also looking for a way to study Mathematics outside of the university.
When are you next competing?
I’m hoping to be at the MCWC this year.
And what are your aims or hopes for the MCWC?
I know that it’s difficult to be first now because it’s hard to compete with the Asians – Jeonghee Lee is the best calculator I’ve ever seen! I’m going to practise a lot in the surprise categories. I want to win, I want to show that it’s not only about the abacus, that you don’t have to have abacus skills to win. I’m going to practise my accuracy and try to perform in the competition like I can do in training.
Thanks and good luck Freddis – hopefully we’ll see you at the World Cup later this year!