BHT Pyraminx Bash 2024

Phillip Lewicki stamped his authority on the weekend by delivering a blazing 6.96 average to conquer the classic Rubik's Cube final, setting the tone for an intense battle for regional supremacy. The clash for the premier title highlighted a high-stakes cubing competition where top contenders repeatedly traded places across multiple formats. Lewicki coupled that victory with a top single of 6.45 seconds, edging out determined challengers who were chasing top honors across every table. Held on January 20, 2024, the gathering drew 69 competitors to the Bharatiya Hindu Temple in Powell, Ohio, USA.

The 3x3x3 Cube contest stood as a fierce demonstration of skill across three demanding rounds. Nolan Wood mounted a serious challenge against Lewicki, taking second place with a 7.49 average, while Jacob Dyland Bennett secured third place with an average of 8.33. The depth of the field showed across 68 entrants, with the top 3x3 results pushing the podium finishers to their absolute limits in every round. The rivalry between these familiar adversaries defined the event, with small fractions of a second ultimately deciding who walked away with the title.

The 2x2x2 Cube division brought blistering pace and razor-thin margins. Chris Chi secured the victory with a 1.74 winning average and an impressive 1.35 single, maintaining composure across two fast-moving rounds against 65 competitors. Wood pushed Chi all the way to take second with a 1.94 average, alongside setting an official single mark of 1.60 and an average of 1.96 during the event. Bennett took another podium spot in third with a 2.29 average, contributing to an electrifying round where numerous regional contenders traded personal bests.

Evan Wright established his own dominance in the longer and more complex formats, clinching two prestigious titles. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Wright took first place with a 1:03.68 average, backed by the day's best single of 58.63 seconds, outlasting Lewicki who placed second in 1:07.29 and Braden Richards in third at 1:08.18. Wright returned to the top of the podium in Square-1, registering a winning 7.21 average with a rapid 5.98 single. Chi followed closely in second place at 8.97, while Bennett added yet another bronze with a 9.03 mark.

The namesake Pyraminx contest showcased exceptional dexterity through three competitive rounds featuring 57 participants. Harsha Paladugu claimed the championship trophy by posting a winning average of 2.05 seconds, anchored by a best single of 1.63. Steven Wintringham captured the silver spot with a 2.65 average, while Jeriyah Griffin held onto third with a 2.71 average. Lewicki also expanded his personal medal haul in the Megaminx, taking victory with a 39.75 average and a 34.66 single, fending off India's Darshan Bhavanasi who finished second at 56.14 and Wood in third at 59.74.

Beyond the championship battles, significant progress unfolded across the floor as emerging talents achieved major milestones. Armaan Chodankar logged massive leaps, cutting his Pyraminx personal best by 51.4 percent down to 5.07 seconds while taking on his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a 5.59. Francis Vu recorded a 47.1 percent improvement on 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.46 mark and made his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 2:10.37, finishing 23rd. Grant Daniel Po'oi enjoyed an outstanding series of improvements, dropping his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 35.7 percent to 13.30, his 2x2x2 Cube by 28.2 percent to 3.90, and his 5x5x5 Cube by 21.3 percent to 2:32.25 across six entered events.

That drive was matched by Zachary Kauffman, who tackled six events, achieving a 29 percent personal best improvement in 2x2x2 Cube of 2.91 seconds while completing his first ever attempts in both 5x5x5 Cube at 2:27.64 and Megaminx at 3:14.06. David Wagner took on six events as well, slicing 25.2 percent off his 5x5x5 Cube personal best with a 2:28.19 and completing his first Megaminx solve in 3:05.32. Russell Poling took part in his first WCA competition, recording his first ever attempts across six events including 3x3x3 Cube in 18.39 and Pyraminx in 7.31. Brennen Noll knocked 37.5 percent off his 2x2x2 Cube best to hit 1.93, while Niranjan Karthikeyan tackled Square-1 for the first time in 35.56 and improved his 3x3x3 Cube best by 14.2 percent to 11.29.

The 2024 gathering demonstrated the great strength of speed cubing in the region, offering a complete balance between elite head-to-head racing and individual development. Across 11 total rounds in six varied disciplines, competitors from the United States and India pushed each other to top form. The intense rivalries between multi-event specialists like Lewicki, Wright, Chi, and Wood brought dramatic conclusions to every bracket.

With 17 podium finishes secured by domestic competitors alongside international representation on the Megaminx podium, BHT Pyraminx Bash 2024 concluded as a memorable showcase of skill. The high standard of execution across both short sprints and complex puzzles proved that every second gained on the competition floor comes through precise preparation. The athletes now carry these sharp times and milestone marks forward toward the next wave of regional clashes.