Beachside Auckland 2025

A blistering 6.60-second final average by Andrew Feng in the 3x3x3 Cube sealed the main event title at Beachside Auckland 2025, setting the standard on a packed day of competition. Held at Bucklands and Eastern Beaches Memorial Hall on September 20, 2025, the gathering brought together 75 competitors in Auckland, New Zealand. While veteran contenders traded podium spots across 15 rounds and seven events, the real energy came from an influx of newcomers trying their hand at official speedcubing for the very first time.

The 2025 Auckland tournament showcased how quickly the local cubing competition scene continues to evolve. Across the seven disciplines, a notable portion of the field was making their first appearances on the competition floor, embracing the unique atmosphere of a World Cube Association meeting. From the iconic Rubik's Cube to specialized twisty puzzles, the single-day schedule moved at a relentless pace as dozens of personal milestones were achieved alongside top-tier winning marks.

In the marquee 3x3 results, Feng took the top spot for the United States with that clinical 6.60 average, bolstered by a 5.03 best single during the three-round contest. Richard Yiheng Tao earned second place for New Zealand with an average of 7.06, followed closely by Taiwan's Yi-Fan Wu in third with 7.32. The event drew 74 participants, making it the most heavily contested discipline of Beachside Auckland 2025.

Alexander Vujcich delivered an exceptional performance across the larger puzzles, securing a golden double for the host nation. Vujcich captured the 4x4x4 Cube victory with a 26.21 average, holding off Feng, who placed second at 26.34, and Tao, who finished third with a 26.72. Later in the afternoon, Vujcich returned to the stage to take the 5x5x5 Cube crown with a 46.46 average, ahead of Wu at 47.41 and Tao at 48.08, while also collecting a third-place finish in the 2x2x2 Cube.

Shorter formats and side events produced equally intense battles at Beachside Auckland 2025. China's Yuki Gao dominated the 2x2x2 Cube, posting a winning average of 1.37 ahead of India's Ram Thakkar at 1.53. In Clock, Lachlan Gibson won with a 2.70 average over Brandon Harris and Elyas Eyou. Sam Lock secured the Pyraminx title with a 2.09 average, while Ashley Foster clinched the Square-1 victory with a 9.81 average in a single final round.

Away from the podium battles, significant breakthroughs highlighted the depth of progress across the roster. Ethan Ruoqing Chen entered seven events and achieved a massive personal best of 41.41 seconds in Square-1, cutting 53.4 percent off their previous best time, alongside a 27.1 percent improvement in the 4x4x4 Cube to finish at 58.15. Adam Chen also made a major leap in Square-1, dropping their mark by 52.8 percent to 18.77. Jimmy Wang improved their 3x3x3 Cube best by 34.3 percent to 16.98, while Jack Zhang reached fourth place in Clock with a new personal best of 3.65, taking 23 percent off their prior mark.

The competition served as a proving ground for several athletes attempting events for the very first time. Cody Steens entered their first WCA competition and tackled six events, registering a 32.59 single on the 3x3x3 Cube and a 10.74 on the 2x2x2 Cube. Fellow debutant Brody Young took on three disciplines, recording a 7.94 single in 2x2x2 Cube and a 9.97 in Pyraminx. Nathan Zhao put up a first official attempt in Pyraminx with a 7.97 and a 55.58 in 4x4x4 Cube, while Jasmine Kane posted a 16.76 in their first Clock attempt alongside personal bests in 4x4x4 and 5x5x5.

The variety on display reinforced why speed cubing continues to engage competitors across every discipline. From rapid 2x2 scrambles to the mechanical intricacies of Clock and Square-1, participants navigated a demanding 15 rounds of action throughout the day. Host nation competitors accounted for 14 podium finishes, with visiting athletes from the United States, Taiwan, China, and India securing the remaining spots in an internationally diverse field.

With 75 competitors recording results and a substantial group of newcomers logging their first official times, Beachside Auckland 2025 concluded as a major success for regional cubing. The blend of high-level mastery from champions like Feng, Vujcich, and Gao with the rapid development of first-time entrants provided a comprehensive snapshot of the sport in 2025. As these emerging cubers build on their debuts, the foundation in Auckland looks stronger than ever heading into the remainder of the season.