Brazos Cubing Fall 2023

A total of 58 competitors stepped up to the tables for the 3x3x3 One-Handed event in Bryan, Texas, USA, testing both physical stamina and turning precision. Solving a standard puzzle with a single hand demands distinct ergonomic mastery, table manipulation, and finger coordination compared to two-handed execution. Held on September 10, 2023, at Bryan High School, Brazos Cubing Fall 2023 gave entrants a proving ground across two full rounds of one-handed play. Ryan Pilat rose to the top of the bracket, delivering a smooth 12.48 winning average alongside a best single of 11.00 seconds to capture the title.

The one-handed final delivered tight margins at the very top of the standings. Tyler Gee secured the second step on the podium with a 12.74 average, pushing Pilat right down to the final solves. Derek Herrera of the Philippines joined them in third position, logging an average of 15.18 seconds to represent his country on the rostrum. The demanding event showcased the intense concentration required to maintain pace when every rotation depends on the dexterity of five fingers on one hand.

Beyond the one-handed discipline, the main 3x3x3 Cube event drew a total of 90 entrants across three intense rounds of speedcubing action. Ryan Pilat maintained his winning momentum, securing the gold medal with a dominant 5.99 winning average and an event-leading 5.22 single solve. Derek Herrera took second place with a 7.95 average, while Siddharth Reddy took third place on the podium with an 8.13 mark. The 3x3 results capped a high-caliber showcase for top-tier talent in the Lone Star State.

Pilat also expanded his gold tally in the Pyraminx division, where 72 participants tackled two fast-paced rounds. Pilat clinched the victory with a 3.51 average and a 2.25 single, holding off William Henry Ruppert V, who took second place with a 4.51 average. Caleb Trelford earned third place with a 4.58 mark. Trelford found his own championship moment in Clock, topping a field of 41 entrants with a 4.01 average and a 3.66 single, besting Ruppert's 5.70 and Sourish Datta's 6.60.

The 2x2x2 Cube provided the closest battle of the entire cubing competition across two rounds featuring 86 competitors. Siddharth Reddy earned the top podium spot by producing a rapid 1.74 winning average and a 1.55 best single. Pilat finished just behind in second place with a 1.78 average, having registered a blistering 0.69 single during the contest. William Henry Ruppert V took third place with a 3.34 average, concluding a balanced program across five different official events.

Away from the top of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across their individual schedules. Cash Houston took on five events and posted a major personal best of 2.31 in Pyraminx, which was 67.4 percent faster than his prior 7.08 mark, while also cutting his 3x3x3 One-Handed time down to 21.94 for a 45.3 percent drop. Cannon Houston had a banner day by dropping his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 66.3 percent to 6.49, lowering his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 44.2 percent to 25.66, and slicing his Pyraminx time by 43.1 percent to 7.07. Antonio Jones made his first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a 4.60 while slashing his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 43.5 percent down to 15.85.

Other athletes embraced fresh challenges across multiple puzzles during the tournament. Jordan Charles logged his first ever attempt at Pyraminx at 11.64 and 2x2x2 Cube at 4.45, alongside a 37.8 percent reduction in the 3x3x3 Cube to 18.54. Hugo True Venkatesh tackled five events, trying Clock for the first time with a 15.03 and recording a 19.2 percent improvement in one-handed solving down to 26.78. Derrick Dunlap entered five events, recording his first ever attempt at Clock with 19.80, Pyraminx with 7.16, and 2x2x2 Cube with 3.12. Emma Kate Shifrin logged first-time marks in Clock at 27.79 and one-handed at 1:08.67, while Hussain Kitabi made initial attempts in Pyraminx at 7.91, Clock at 15.39, and 2x2x2 Cube at 6.41.

Across 10 total rounds, this official WCA competition highlighted both seasoned consistency and emerging speed cubing talent in the region. A total of 94 competitors gathered for Brazos Cubing Fall 2023, filling the venue with intense turns, tactical solves, and memorable milestones. With classic Rubik's Cube mastery and one-handed versatility sharing the spotlight, the tournament left a defining mark on the competitive calendar as participants prepare for future challenges.