Astana Spring 2025

The competition hall at Tamos Space School in Astana, Kazakhstan was filled with steady focus and the rhythmic clatter of plastic layers over the weekend of March 29 to March 30, 2025. Across two full days of action, 36 competitors gathered to test their skills through 15 rounds covering nine different disciplines. Speedcubing enthusiasts arrived ready to tackle everything from the classic Rubik's Cube to intricate dodecahedrons and mechanical dials, setting a high standard of precision throughout the tournament.

The undeniable headliner of Astana Spring 2025 was Damir Zhanataev, who delivered a commanding display across the schedule to claim four separate gold medals. Zhanataev set the tone in the premier 3x3x3 Cube event, advancing through three rigorous rounds to capture the top prize with a 7.68-second average and a blazing single of 6.46 seconds. The final 3x3 results saw Kazakhstan claim the entire podium, with Nurassyl Kurmangali taking second place at 8.11 seconds and Beksultan Tleukanov finishing third with an 8.71-second average.

Zhanataev showed no signs of slowing down when switching disciplines, demonstrating mastery in both dexterity and geometric variety. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, he topped the 22-competitor field with a 12.67-second winning average, finishing ahead of Damir Issakov at 13.14 seconds and Nurassyl Kurmangali at 15.56 seconds. Zhanataev also conquered the Pyraminx final with a 5.44-second average and locked down the 5x5x5 Cube title by averaging 1:06.53, edging out Issakov who recorded a 1:06.94 average in a tight battle.

The 4x4x4 Cube competition produced one of the most thrilling finishes of the weekend, as Damir Issakov claimed victory with an average of 33.93 seconds and a best single of 26.58 seconds. The margin of victory was razor-thin, with Nurassyl Kurmangali taking the silver medal with a 34.01-second average and Alikhan Yertursyn securing the bronze just behind him at 34.05 seconds. The fast-paced 2x2x2 Cube final saw Kurmangali capture gold with a 2.74-second average, besting Tristan Connor Smith from the USA who averaged 3.43 seconds, while Zhanataev placed third at 3.55 seconds.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across their individual journeys. Artem Klyain took on seven events and registered major personal bests, cutting his 4x4x4 Cube mark to 42.76 seconds, which was 36.2 percent faster than his previous standard, while also posting his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube with a time of 1:51.69. Dalel Zhanataev achieved a massive 43 percent improvement in Clock to finish with a personal best of 27.35 seconds. Aldiyar Mussin entered eight events, dropping his 5x5x5 Cube best to 3:01.08, an improvement of 34.5 percent, while Amirkhan Akhmadiyev made his first ever attempt in 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 2.80 seconds.

That same drive was evident throughout the roster as competitors unlocked new personal records. Daniel Zhanataev delivered a 42.7 percent improvement in Pyraminx to record a personal best of 12.06 seconds. Abzal Amirgali logged his first ever attempts in both Megaminx with 2:49.92 and 3x3x3 One-Handed with 24.21 seconds, alongside an 11.6 percent drop in his 3x3x3 Cube time to 10.71 seconds. Samgat Mynbai took fifth place in 3x3x3 Cube, lowering his average to 7.94 seconds, and Alan Suslov achieved a 41.7 percent drop in 2x2x2 Cube to set a personal best of 2.71 seconds.

The specialized puzzles also yielded impressive performances in this speed cubing showcase. In Megaminx, Renat Nurgaleev of Russia took first place with a winning average of 48.72 seconds, finishing ahead of Kurmangali at 1:03.79 and Amir Murzakarimov at 1:05.56. In the Skewb event, Alimzhan Kenesbek secured the victory with a 4.23-second average and a single of 3.31 seconds. Clock saw Aidar Nadir rise to the top of an 11-competitor field, logging a 7.08-second average to take gold ahead of Meirambek Akylbekov at 8.21 seconds and Zhanataev at 9.51 seconds.

With Kazakhstan athletes capturing 25 podium positions alongside international medals won by competitors representing Russia and the United States, the cubing competition highlighted both local depth and broad community engagement. As the final scrambles cleared the tables, the participants celebrated a memorable weekend of competition and personal achievements, carrying renewed motivation and sharp form forward into the rest of the 2025 calendar.