Azerbaijan Nationals 2023

Inside the sprawling Azərbaycan Memarlıq və İnşaat Universiteti in Baku, Azerbaijan, the atmosphere was a mix of intense focus and rapid-fire clicking on November 18 and 19. Competitors from across the region gathered for a true test of speed and dexterity in this cubing competition. For two days, 49 participants engaged in a battle against the clock across 14 events and 22 rounds, showcasing the relentless pursuit of perfection that defines modern speedcubing. As timers stopped and puzzles were inspected, the tension built with every round, leading to an incredibly tight finish in the premier events that left spectators breathless.

The 3x3x3 Cube final at Azerbaijan Nationals 2023 delivered a masterclass in precision, producing the tightest finish of the weekend. Anatolii Turenko of Russia claimed the title with a blistering winning average of 7.71 seconds, highlighted by a best single of 6.62 seconds. The margin of victory was razor-thin, as Kazakhstan’s Damir Zhanataev secured second place with an 8.55 average. Local favourite Javid Nabizade of Azerbaijan completed the podium with a 9.49 average. The 3x3 results demonstrated the incredible calibre of the 45-person field, as fractions of a second separated glory from near misses.

Beyond the main event, Turenko dominated the weekend, adding multiple titles to his resume at Azerbaijan Nationals 2023. He secured victory in the 4x4x4 Cube with an average of 32.10 seconds and triumphed in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:05.36 average. Turenko also topped the podium in Megaminx, recording a 1:03.60 average, and took the Pyraminx title with a swift 3.73 average. His mastery extended to the larger puzzles, winning the 6x6x6 Cube with a 2:27.69 average. The Russian speed cubing standout was undeniably the competitor to beat throughout the tournament.

Zhanataev, despite narrow misses in the standard NxN events, showcased his versatility with several impressive victories. The Kazakhstani cuber won the 3x3x3 One-Handed event with a 15.04 average and mastered the intricate 3x3x3 Fewest Moves challenge with a best single of 45. Zhanataev also demonstrated his speed on the Clock, winning with an 11.60 average, and secured the 7x7x7 Cube title with a 3:52.96 average. His dominance in Skewb, where he posted a 5.90 winning average, and his endurance in the demanding 3x3x3 Blindfolded, winning with a 1:28.99 best single despite a DNF average, highlighted a truly remarkable performance.

The spirit of this WCA competition was perhaps best captured by those pushing their own boundaries away from the top tables. Ivan Valov from Cyprus made significant strides, recording a personal best in Square-1 of 28.13 seconds, which was an astonishing 72.1 percent faster than his previous mark. Bogdan Kashin of Russia also found an extra gear, logging a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 38.06 seconds, a 66.4 percent improvement. Huseyn Memmedli of Azerbaijan shattered his previous 2x2x2 Cube personal best, clocking in at 4.07 seconds for a 58.4 percent gain, while Muhammad Cavad Allahverdi dropped his Square-1 best to 28.68 seconds, improving by 44.5 percent.

For many, the weekend was about stepping into unknown territory and tackling new challenges. Vüsal Farajov of Azerbaijan took on eight events, making his first ever attempt at Megaminx and finishing with a time of 3:59.11. Hwamok Cho of Korea entered eight events as well, debuting in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 4:41.65. Philipp Radinskiy of Russia embraced the pressure of his first WCA competition by entering eleven events, including his first ever attempt at Skewb, where he clocked a 5.05. Mammad Ahmadov of Azerbaijan also made his competitive debut, navigating five events and recording a 6.27 in his first ever attempt at Pyraminx.

The 2x2x2 Cube event provided a separate spectacle of rapid solves and fierce competition. Ruslan Romanenko of Russia took the top spot with a 4.05 winning average and a 3.08 best single, navigating a crowded field of 41 competitors. Nabizade followed closely with a 4.25 average, and Zhanataev took third with 4.32. The event was also notable for a flurry of national records being set, with Romanenko, Turenko, Zhanataev, Raul Ismayilli, Radinskiy, Ilia Provorniy, Nabizade, Valov, Onyu Cho, and Rəsul Ağababayev all establishing new benchmarks in singles and averages.

As the final timers were packed away, the 2023 edition of the event left a lasting impression on the regional circuit. The sheer variety of puzzles, from the classic Rubik's Cube to the complex 7x7x7, tested every facet of the competitors' skills. With 14 podium places each, Russia and Kazakhstan dominated the medal table, while Azerbaijan secured 13 spots. The combination of elite performances at the top and personal triumphs throughout the field ensured that Azerbaijan Nationals 2023 will be remembered as a true celebration of speed, skill, and determination.