Berkeley Pre-Cal Day Tricubealon 2025

Twenty-four competitors converged on SOCS 20 in Berkeley, California, USA on April 18, 2025, setting up an intense day of high-level solving. The gathering showcased seasoned contenders returning to sharp form alongside hungry newcomers looking to make their mark on the circuit. Across six rounds and three specialized events, the Berkeley Pre-Cal Day Tricubealon 2025 demonstrated how deep experience often prevails in tense tournament conditions. With only a select trio of challenges on the schedule, every solve counted toward defining the tournament narrative.

Ethan Jan established control across the boards early, capturing top honours in both standard and one-handed events. In the main Rubik's Cube category, Jan posted a winning average of 6.74 seconds along with the best single of 5.82 seconds to lead a 23-person field across two rounds. Calix Tang earned second place with an average of 7.61 seconds, narrowly edging Gurshan Singh, who secured third place at 7.63 seconds. The tight margins at the top of the 3x3 results underlined the quality of execution demanded from the finalists.

The 3x3x3 One-Handed contest proved just as fierce, bringing 18 entrants through two rigorous stages of single-arm turns. Ethan Jan once again stood at the top of the podium, posting a winning average of 10.64 seconds and a best single of 8.54 seconds. Anto Kam took the runner-up position with an average of 11.34 seconds, while Calix Tang claimed third place at 12.27 seconds. Jan's second title confirmed his mastery across multiple puzzle disciplines at the Berkeley Pre-Cal Day Tricubealon 2025.

In the 3x3x3 Blindfolded competition, precision and memory took priority as 11 competitors tackled the blind solving challenge. Anto Kam delivered the winning single of 20.12 seconds across the two rounds, taking the title despite a DNF average. Ethan Jan continued his podium presence by securing second place with a single of 24.69 seconds, while Cindy Xiaoyue Huang rounded out the top three with a mark of 59.58 seconds. The blind discipline pushed every entrant to their tactical limits throughout the afternoon.

Away from the podium battles, significant breakthroughs highlighted the broader speedcubing community at the venue. Adrian Melchor produced the largest gains of the weekend, cutting his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best to 56.23 seconds, a dramatic 51.8 percent drop from his previous 1:56.56, while also trimming his 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 21.58 seconds, which was 32.3 percent faster. Anton Than lowered his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best to 32.41 seconds, improving by 27.9 percent, and took his 3x3x3 Cube mark down to 12.56 seconds. Juan Garcia Aguirre registered a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 27.33 seconds across his two entered events.

The tournament also marked memorable milestones for first-time entrants and established hands tackling new disciplines. Kyle Sun completed his first WCA competition with a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 22.60 seconds, while Hashim Masood Altaf logged his own debut with a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 34.13 seconds. Richie Hsiung entered his first tournament and earned a 5th place finish in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a first attempt of 1:05.85. Veteran Lucas Garron entered three events, securing a 5th place finish in 3x3x3 Blindfolded alongside a personal best of 11.21 seconds in 3x3x3 One-Handed, 12.2 percent faster than before, while Timothy Elnitiarta captured 4th in 3x3x3 One-Handed.

Throughout the schedule, the cubing competition saw solid marks logged by several experienced participants who maintained steady form. Bowen Deng registered a 12.33 single and 13.10 average in the standard cube, while Chris Lillios finished with a 20.78 single and 29.17 average. Ruby Lu recorded a 7.82 single and 9.07 average, Cindy Xiaoyue Huang logged a 9.94 single and 12.32 average, and Diego Jiashu Jiang posted a 12.13 single with a 13.07 average, demonstrating the technical consistency present throughout the heats.

The overall medal tally reflected the international flair of the Berkeley Pre-Cal Day Tricubealon 2025, with competitors representing the USA taking six podium spots, Hong Kong securing two, and China earning one. Speed cubing in the Bay Area remains vibrant, bringing together different generations of puzzle solvers on the same floor. The day wrapped up at SOCS 20 with memorable performances across all three disciplines.

As the final timers were cleared, the Berkeley Pre-Cal Day Tricubealon 2025 concluded another successful chapter in Northern California cubing. With double gold for Ethan Jan and standout moments across the entire roster, the competition showed the enduring depth of the regional scene. Solvers now head into the rest of the 2025 calendar year ready to build upon their recent progress and prepare for the upcoming stages ahead.