Benicia Open 2025

Zerui Cheng delivered the defining performance in Martinez, California, USA, logging a 6.36 winning average and a 5.77 best single to capture the premier 3x3x3 Cube title. The one-day gathering unfolded on September 13, 2025, bringing 105 competitors to the Gym at Alhambra High School. Across 11 fast-paced rounds and five distinct events, the schedule provided intense drama from morning qualification through to the evening finals. Benicia Open 2025 offered a thorough test across varied formats, drawing enthusiastic participants eager to test their capabilities in an official WCA competition setting.

The morning schedule opened with early heats across multiple categories, setting a high standard for the day. In the Pyraminx event, which featured 71 competitors over two rounds, Stephen Zhu established command. Zhu captured top honors with a 2.99 winning average and an event-best single of 2.28. Lucas Kim followed closely in second place averaging 3.40, while Varun Mohanraj claimed the third step on the podium with a mark of 3.57. The precision required on the tetrahedral puzzle set an energetic tone that carried across the venue as the field moved toward mechanical rotations.

Midday brought the specialized Clock event, drawing 66 competitors across two stages of play. Alessandro Diomampo emerged victorious, putting together a 2.97 winning average alongside a sharp 2.33 single solve. Sebastian Stone secured second place on the podium with an average of 3.81, followed by Taiwan competitor Jaidon Poraminthara Lin, who took third place with a 4.14 average. The swift dial-turning required complete concentration, offering spectators an engaging display of speed cubing prowess before the afternoon blindfolded challenges began.

Blindfolded solving introduced a completely different rhythm to the afternoon slate at Benicia Open 2025. Competing on the classic 3x3x3 Blindfolded format, 26 entrants faced the demanding requirement of memorizing the puzzle before donning blindfolds. Calix Tang took the victory by delivering a stunning 18.61 single solve. David Karalli secured the runner-up position with a best time of 35.52, while Jimmy Kingston posted a 36.32 single to take third place. The quiet focus in the room during these attempts offered a striking contrast to the rapid pace of the surrounding rounds.

Beyond the podium battles, the day revealed massive individual breakthroughs across the gymnasium floor. Amari Evers showed dramatic progress across two events, taking down an earlier 33.09 mark on the 2x2x2 Cube with a 6.43 personal best that was 80.6 percent faster, alongside a 24.94 in the 3x3x3 Cube that improved on an old best by 58.3 percent. Shlok Bodas contested three events, logging a first ever attempt at Pyraminx of 17.73 while taking 53.8 percent off a previous best with a 26.03 in the 3x3x3 Cube and improving 46.4 percent on 2x2x2 to hit 5.35. Anish Deo tackled five events, slicing 71.2 percent off an earlier Clock best to record 15.47 and cutting time on 2x2x2 with 3.95. Viyaan Prasad entered two disciplines, dropping 51.4 percent on 2x2x2 to secure a 3.43 personal best.

New milestones continued as competitors embraced fresh challenges at Benicia Open 2025. Daniel Tosoc took on four events, logging a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 4.41, a debut Clock mark of 17.85, and a 14.32 personal best on 3x3x3. Nithin Rammprasad registered an initial Clock try of 35.58 and dropped 28.5 percent off a 3x3x3 best to reach 13.62 across four events. Jared Adrian recorded a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a swift 5.50 and set a 2.69 on 2x2x2, while Calvin J. Batt posted an initial Clock run of 27.64 alongside a 10.78 personal best on Pyraminx. Debut appearances also brought excitement, as Kevin Hwang contested his first WCA competition across four events, including a 14.59 debut in Clock.

As the afternoon transitioned toward the finals, the 2x2x2 Cube tournament delivered exceptionally tight racing among 86 contenders. Will Callan took first place with a 1.66 winning average, supported by a 1.32 single. Benjamin Schaham finished in second position with a 1.77 average, while Matt Mao of China earned third place with a 1.87 average. United States competitors secured 13 total podium places across the day, with Taiwan and China taking one apiece in a showcase of fast hands and clean execution on the miniature puzzle.

The culminating event brought 104 entrants back to the classic Rubik's Cube across three intense rounds. When the 3x3 results were finalized, Zerui Cheng stood at the summit with the 6.36 winning average. Varun Mohanraj earned his second podium finish of the day by placing second with a 6.96 average, edging past Ethan Jan who took third place at 6.97. The tight margin between second and third highlighted the fierce standard of competition throughout the final round.

The single-day meet in Martinez concluded with memorable performances spanning every puzzle type. Benicia Open 2025 encapsulated the depth of regional speedcubing, balancing elite winning averages with widespread personal milestones. From the opening turns of the morning Pyraminx heats to the final 3x3 solves, the 2025 cubing competition provided an electric stage for personal growth and championship triumphs.