Auckland Autumn 2023

A single decisive hundredth of a second separated the top two finishers in the 2x2x2 Cube final at Auckland Autumn 2023, where Ram Thakkar posted a winning average of 1.86 seconds to edge Elyas Eyou at 1.87 seconds. The razor-thin margin set the tone for an action-packed weekend of speedcubing on May 13 and May 14 at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. Across seven official disciplines and 22 total rounds, 142 competitors gathered to put their puzzle-solving abilities to the test, with seasoned veterans and newcomers alike chasing milestones in the 2023 season.

For many in the field, attending an official WCA competition means taking the stage for the very first time, turning bedroom practice into live results under the judge stopwatch. Walking into an arena venue with rows of timers, scorecards, and scramble tables brings an undeniable rush of excitement. New solvers took on the challenge of learning procedural station calls, managing nervous hands, and exploring disciplines beyond the traditional 3x3x3 puzzle, discovering the wider community that powers the sport across the region.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest stood out as the centerpiece of the program, attracting 139 participants over four intensive rounds of play. Alexander Vujcich captured the top spot on the podium with a winning average of 7.81 seconds, backed by a best single of 6.33 seconds in the event. Simon Geertsema took second place with a 7.89 average, while Matteo Ortiz claimed third in 8.38 seconds. These elite 3x3 results capped a demanding multi-round contest that tested speed and endurance across every phase of the weekend.

Beyond the main event, individual specialists delivered sharp performances across the rotation of alternate puzzles. Alexander Vujcich secured a second victory by winning the Megaminx with a 31.01 average, while Brandon Harris and Carol Chai followed on the podium. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Angela Braganza took first place with a 30.21 average, finishing ahead of Vujcich and Geertsema. Caleb Hall mastered the 3x3x3 One-Handed final in 14.43 seconds, leading Cheng-Ru Yang and Matteo Ortiz in an impressive display of dexterity.

The short-format puzzles brought rapid turnarounds and high drama to the floor. Elyas Eyou claimed the Skewb crown with a 3.42 average, followed by Carol Chai in second and Ashley Foster in third. Foster returned to the top step in Pyraminx, taking victory with a 2.68 average to beat Elyas Eyou and Levi Eyou. In the 2x2x2 Cube, podium positions behind Ram Thakkar went to Elyas Eyou in second and Carol Chai in third, completing an intense series of sprints on the compact two-layered puzzle.

Beneath the title contests, the true heartbeat of the weekend belonged to improving solvers making monumental strides on the official floor. Andrei Alexeichik logged his first attempts in 2x2x2 Cube and Skewb while improving his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 34.66 seconds, a massive 57.8 percent drop from his previous mark. Fateh Bhular took on 4x4x4 Cube for the first time, cut his 3x3x3 mark by 46.7 percent to 17.98 seconds, and reduced his 2x2x2 best by 66.7 percent down to 2.90 seconds. Andy Ly also made rapid progress, trying Pyraminx and 2x2x2 Cube for the first time while taking his 3x3x3 personal best down by 47.9 percent to 20.86 seconds. Justin Zhang tackled his first attempts in 3x3x3 One-Handed and Skewb, alongside a 46.4 percent improvement in 3x3x3 Cube to reach 17.11 seconds.

Other dedicated competitors embraced heavy event schedules to broaden their official resumes at Auckland Autumn 2023. Christian Pellett entered five disciplines, attempting Megaminx for the first time while improving his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark by 54.3 percent to 34.71 seconds and his Pyraminx best by 24.8 percent to 5.21 seconds. Charlie Alderton entered five events, logging first attempts in Pyraminx and 3x3x3 One-Handed while improving his 2x2x2 best by 42.3 percent to 3.45 seconds. Enzo Li tackled five events, recording his first marks in Megaminx and Pyraminx alongside a 40.9 percent drop in 2x2x2 Cube to 2.53 seconds. Sameer Khemlani stepped up for all seven events on the schedule, making his first attempt in 3x3x3 One-Handed while trimming 37.5 percent off his Skewb mark and 28.5 percent off his 4x4x4 Cube single.

The diverse schedule showcased the full spectrum of speed cubing, from classic twisting geometry to twelve-sided Megaminx challenges. Whether solving with one hand or racing through a Pyraminx scramble, competitors found plenty of opportunities to set personal benchmarks. The tournament demonstrated how a modern cubing competition welcomes newcomers alongside seasoned podium contenders, with every completed solve contributing to the broader record books of the sport.

As the equipment was packed away at Mt Smart Stadium, the collective achievements across all 22 rounds highlighted a thriving competitive scene. New Zealand solvers claimed 18 podium positions, joined by international representatives from the Philippines and India who earned three combined top-three spots. With dozens of personal milestones achieved and newcomers successfully navigating their debut rounds, Auckland Autumn 2023 delivered a memorable chapter for the local Rubik's Cube community.