Big & Blind Kenya 2024

A single rapid attempt can catch the eye, but enduring consistency defines true mastery over the most demanding puzzles in the sport. At Big & Blind Kenya 2024, Johan Alex Tabeko Ngankam demonstrated that unwavering control across every attempt when he conquered the 6x6x6 Cube with a decisive 4:45.20 winning average, backed by a Cameroonian national record single of 4:17.58. Held at a Private Residence in Nairobi, Kenya on January 20, 2024, the focused single-day cubing competition brought together five dedicated competitors tackling a specialised schedule of big cubes, blindfolded disciplines, and side events.

Across six competitive rounds, the gathering emphasised measured precision and complete setups over sheer luck. Speedcubing at the highest level requires deep concentration, particularly when navigating the vast surface areas of big cubes or tackling blindfolded memory feats. Rather than relying on isolated spikes of pace, the champions in Nairobi built their victories through dependable execution on every solve. This consistency anchored the day as competitors from Kenya, Cameroon, and India pushed their limits across the official WCA competition slate.

Ngankam established his dominance early in the big cube categories, displaying smooth transitions and disciplined pacing that left little room for error. In the 7x7x7 Cube final, he secured his second title of the weekend by posting a commanding 7:45.59 winning average, paired with a Cameroonian national record single of 6:52.11. Rayan Parmar provided steady competition to claim the runner-up spot with an average of 9:12.80, which registered as a Kenyan national record alongside his national record single of 8:54.30. Ngankam also took top honours in Megaminx with a 2:30.27 average, finishing ahead of Kenya's Kelvin Githiari Waturi at 2:42.93 and India's Lakshi Mehta at 4:17.86.

The blindfolded disciplines presented the ultimate test of reliable methodology, where a single memory lapse or execution error results in a recorded failure. Rayan Parmar stood alone in meeting this challenge, converting rigorous planning into clean completions without wavering. In the 3x3x3 Blindfolded category, where solving requires pure memorisation before the blindfold descends, Parmar earned the victory with a 5:28.48 Kenyan national record average, highlighted by a best single effort of 3:30.80.

Parmar extended his blindfolded mastery into the 3x3x3 Multi-Blind discipline, securing a Kenyan national record single by successfully solving two out of two cubes within 18:51. The discipline demands total recall and steady nerves across multiple puzzles, and his flawless success rate highlighted the value of disciplined consistency over rushed attempts. While traditional 3x3 results often hinge on lightning-fast reflexes on the standard Rubik's Cube, these memory-intensive events rewarded methodical patience above all else.

The action shifted to the unique mechanical demands of Clock, where mechanical rhythm and dial management rewarded steady turning. Parmar captured his third overall victory of the meet, locking down first place with a Kenyan national record average of 24.67 and a best single of 17.94. India's Lakshi Mehta secured the silver medal with a solid 31.13 average, while Divisha Parmar claimed third place with a mark of 1:18.42. Kelvin Githiari Waturi recorded a single of 1:10.03 during the round but finished without a completed average.

The final medal table reflected balanced international participation and individual endurance across all six formats. Kenyan competitors accumulated seven podium placements overall, Cameroon secured three podium finishes through Ngankam's sweep of the large puzzles, and Indian solvers earned two top-three spots. Each competitor contributed to a dense schedule that gave equal weight to mechanical coordination, memory endurance, and layered puzzle analysis.

When the single-day meet drew to a close, Big & Blind Kenya 2024 stood as a testament to the power of structured preparation. Speed cubing in the region continues to show technical growth across complex events, proving that sustainable averages and steady composure under pressure are the true hallmarks of competitive excellence as athletes look forward to the challenges of the next season.