Berkeley March Weekday NxN 2025

Inside Hearst Field Annex B5, the atmosphere was defined by the steady rhythm of tournament operations long before the fastest times registered on the displays. Stopwatches were tested, scramble tables prepared, and judging stations aligned with methodical care by the dedicated staff. Staged on March 7, 2025, in Berkeley, California, USA, the gathering brought together a focused group of puzzle solvers ready to test their abilities across multiple formats. The volunteers, organizers, and delegates kept every stage of the evening running seamlessly, giving competitors an ideal environment to perform at their absolute best.

This edition of Berkeley March Weekday NxN 2025 gathered 27 competitors for a streamlined schedule featuring two core puzzles and five rounds of intense play. The operational team handled judging transitions and scramble deliveries without missing a step, creating a swift and focused setting for the entire field. As a recognized WCA competition, the event demanded precision from both the staff managing the floor and the solvers taking their seats, proving once again how vital seamless administration is to the success of regional speedcubing.

The spotlight shifted directly to the marquee Rubik's Cube category as 27 competitors entered the opening phase of the 3x3x3 Cube tournament. Across three consecutive rounds, solvers pushed their boundary limits through complex turning sequences and rapid inspections. When the decisive final round arrived, Ethan Jan secured top honours with a winning average of 6.38 seconds, having also posted a session-best single solve of 5.67 seconds during the event. Close behind him, Varun Mohanraj claimed the second podium spot with a mark of 6.64 seconds, while Heidi Chan completed the podium in third with an average of 7.23 seconds.

In the larger NxN category, the 4x4x4 Cube challenged 21 entrants over two competitive rounds that demanded both visual tracking and meticulous parity management. Varun Mohanraj demonstrated complete command of the bigger puzzle, winning the final with an outstanding average of 27.74 seconds alongside the fastest single solve of the event at 24.97 seconds. Yuki Nomura of Japan took second place with an average of 28.34 seconds, and Ethan Jan added another medal to his tally by claiming third place with a 28.94 average. The contest highlighted the remarkable dexterity required at the upper echelon of big-cube speed cubing.

Beyond the championship podiums, several competitors delivered remarkable personal milestones that highlighted the depth of the field. Juan Garcia Aguirre stood out with a major breakthrough, recording a 4x4x4 Cube personal best of 57.59 seconds, which was 18.2 percent faster than his previous best of 1:10.41, while also logging a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 13.43 seconds across two events entered. Aidan Greathouse showed similar momentum by setting a 4x4x4 Cube personal best of 39.55 seconds, slicing 12.8 percent off his prior 45.34 benchmark. Rashad Kadado also posted a double-digit improvement, clocking a 4x4x4 Cube personal best of 55.86 seconds, which was 10.4 percent faster than his previous 1:02.35 mark. In the single-puzzle bracket, Chris Lillios achieved a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 19.96 seconds, improving by 6.2 percent over an earlier 21.29 time.

The progression continued through several other impressive individual efforts across the evening. Daniel Dinh shaved 14.5 percent off his previous 3x3x3 Cube mark to achieve a new personal best of 8.35 seconds. Zane Qureshi delivered a rapid 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 5.74 seconds to earn a 6th-place finish, while Micah Yeo locked in a new personal best of 5.32 seconds on his way to 7th place in the final. Entering their first official tournament, Sanjay Palem completed a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube in 1:14.38, Adhrit Singh logged a first attempt of 43.43 seconds, and Seamus Rarden posted an opening mark of 31.15 seconds in the same event. In addition, Gurshan Singh secured a 4th-place finish, Calix Tang finished 5th, and Rahul Bollini took 6th place in the 4x4x4 Cube.

The overall medal count reflected strong representation, with competitors representing the United States securing five podium positions alongside one podium earned for Japan. In addition to the final placements, official records and personal benchmarks tumbled throughout the bracket, enriching the overall 3x3 results across all three rounds. The combined efforts of the staff and entrants ensured that every heat maintained a fast, energetic cadence from the opening scramble to the final recorded time.

As the station timers were packed away at Hearst Field Annex B5, Berkeley March Weekday NxN 2025 concluded as a prime example of an expertly managed cubing competition. The seamless collaboration between organizers, delegates, and competitor volunteers allowed 27 solvers to push their limits in a focused setting. With memorable victories and massive personal leaps in the books, the local community looks forward to building on this standard of execution in upcoming competitive seasons.