Back to Kericho 2025

54 competitors gathered at the A.C.K. Grace Conference Centre on August 16, 2025, bringing speedcubing back to Kericho, Kenya for a packed one-day showcase. Across five rounds in three official disciplines, competitors faced the acute reality of competitive solving where every turn counts. In disciplines governed by strict format requirements, including the uncompromising precision of mean-of-three style demands where a single mistake can dismantle an entire round, precision proved to be the ultimate separator from the opening scrambles to the final podiums.

The 2025 edition of Back to Kericho 2025 tested poise and tactical consistency over five distinct rounds. Speed cubing in this format rewards solvers who can balance raw turning velocity with an avoidance of costly lockups and penalties. With three different puzzle types on display, entrants needed to adapt quickly between formats, managing everything from short bursts on smaller puzzles to complex algorithmic sequences on the flagship stages.

The main event spotlight fell firmly on the classic Rubik's Cube, where 49 competitors battled through two stages of competition. When the 3x3 results were finalised in the second round, James Kariuki took top honours with an average of 11.77 seconds, anchored by a best single solve of 10.58. David Wachira claimed second place on the podium with a 13.84 average, while Allan Kipchumba secured third place with an average of 15.50.

In the 2x2x2 Cube event, Allan Kipchumba turned the tables across two rounds featuring 34 entrants. Kipchumba captured the victory with a 3.91 winning average and delivered the fastest single time of the event at 2.83 seconds. James Kariuki finished as the runner-up with a 5.45 average, while David Wachira earned another podium spot in third place with an average of 5.71 seconds, highlighting a close battle among the top finishers.

The Pyraminx concluded its single decisive round with 29 competitors vying for the title. Isaac Mwangi produced a standout performance to take the championship, recording a winning average of 5.66 seconds and a best single of 5.19 seconds. Allan Kipchumba followed in second place with an average of 7.37, while David Wachira completed the podium trio in third place with an average of 9.47, rounding out nine total podium spots earned by Kenyan solvers on the day.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones in this WCA competition. Miguel Mose took on three events and delivered massive personal bests, recording a 7.97 single on 2x2x2 Cube which was 57.2 percent faster than his previous mark, a 30.48 on 3x3x3 Cube which was 39.6 percent faster, and a first ever Pyraminx attempt of 5.08 to finish 8th. Fred Kilele entered three events, logging a personal best of 2.49 on 2x2x2 Cube that was 45.8 percent faster, a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 12.44, and an initial Pyraminx solve of 12.15 on the way to an 8th-place finish in 2x2x2 Cube. Jason Kipkurui cut his 3x3x3 Cube best to 13.69, an improvement of 48.6 percent, and reduced his 2x2x2 Cube single by 25.8 percent to 4.75, placing 4th. Kelvin Githiari Waturi entered three events and secured a 7th-place finish in Pyraminx.

The depth of the field was further illustrated by newcomers making their official debuts. Brilliant Cherop tackled three events at their first tournament, earning a best finish of 12th in Pyraminx with an initial attempt of 10.56, while posting debut solves of 16.74 on 2x2x2 Cube and 31.68 on 3x3x3 Cube. Chepkemei Lelei Rono completed three events in their first appearance, registering initial times of 23.60 on 2x2x2 Cube, 1:25.60 on 3x3x3 Cube, and 42.12 on Pyraminx. Alex Maina Kamau entered three events at their debut tournament, claiming 9th place in 2x2x2 Cube with a first attempt of 5.76 alongside initial times of 24.27 on 3x3x3 Cube and 22.96 on Pyraminx. Paul Kibira Olouch also contested three events in their first outing, finishing 9th in Pyraminx with a 13.00 attempt, alongside opening marks of 6.47 on 2x2x2 Cube and 38.47 on 3x3x3 Cube.

Beyond the podium battles, the event saw a flurry of new personal marks throughout the field in Kericho. Solvers in the 2x2x2 Cube rounds logged fresh standards across both single solves and averages, demonstrating steady technical development across the region. The ability of entrants to maintain concentration and deliver solid results across different event structures showed the growing competitive maturity of the local scene.

As the final timers stopped, Back to Kericho 2025 concluded having demonstrated the focus and skill required at a modern cubing competition. From the swift executions of the Pyraminx specialists to the measured turn speeds in the main 3x3x3 Cube rounds, the gathering at A.C.K. Grace Conference Centre delivered a clear display of precision speedcubing across every round of the tournament.