Bright Sun Open 2023

Twenty-two competitors took their marks at Bright Sun College on July 20, 2023, stepping into an action-packed schedule featuring six events and eight rounds of intense play. Behind the seamless running of the tournament were the dedicated local organisers, WCA delegates, and volunteers who managed the tables, kept scorecards flowing, and ensured every scramble met official standards. Their diligence created an environment where both seasoned competitors and first-time entrants could test their skills against the clock in Agidingbi, Lagos State, Nigeria.

The smooth organisation allowed the main events to unfold with razor-sharp efficiency throughout the single-day gathering. In the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, which progressed across three stages of trimming the field, Atobatele Oreoluwapo David set the benchmark for the day. He claimed victory in the final round with an impressive winning average of 11.44 seconds, backed by a best single solve of 10.42 seconds. David Okoro-Sokoh chased him closely to finish second with a 12.29 average, while Bolade-Eyinla Oluwasanmi secured third position on the podium with an average of 14.04 seconds.

Ethan Ugwuegbu delivered a standout day of his own across multiple disciplines at Bright Sun Open 2023. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Ugwuegbu topped a field of 12 entrants by registering a winning average of 3.97 seconds alongside a blistering single solve of 3.16 seconds. Atobatele Oreoluwapo David finished runner-up with an average of 4.68 seconds, while David Okoro-Sokoh collected third place with a 4.94 average. Ugwuegbu doubled his gold medal haul in the 4x4x4 Cube, taking first place among seven contenders with a 41.64 average and a best single of 39.07 seconds.

Beyond the traditional nxn puzzles, the tournament showcased considerable dexterity on alternative geometric shapes. The Megaminx event saw Atobatele Oreoluwapo David collect his second tournament title, averaging 46.90 seconds with a fastest solve of 43.88 seconds to beat out David Okoro-Sokoh and Temiloluwa Ishola. Meanwhile, David Okoro-Sokoh demonstrated his own versatility by sweeping the remaining events on the roster. He captured the Pyraminx crown with a 12.77 average, finishing ahead of Temiloluwa Ishola and Olu-James Mobolaji, and later claimed the Square-1 victory with an average of 10.59 seconds.

While the top podium steps saw intense battles, the heartbeat of this cubing competition lived in the personal milestones achieved across the venue. Bibiire Ishola made remarkable strides across three different events, logging a 2x2x2 Cube personal best single of 9.68 seconds to improve by 40.9 percent, alongside a Pyraminx personal best of 20.36 seconds that was 19.4 percent faster than before, and a 3x3x3 Cube single of 37.29 seconds that improved by 12.5 percent. Madubuko Felix tackled three disciplines as well, placing fourth in the premier 3x3x3 Cube and registering a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 1:51.55.

The roster was packed with newcomers making their very first appearance at an official WCA competition. Perez Kasumu completed two events, logging a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube with a single of 32.24 seconds and a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube of 10.54 seconds to take eighth place. Daniel Olajide made his debut across two formats, recording a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 47.12 seconds and a 2x2x2 Cube single of 21.24 seconds. Jedidiah Opatimehin also debuted across two events, achieving a best finish of eighth in 3x3x3 Cube with an initial single of 28.58 seconds, alongside a 20.41 in the 2x2x2 Cube.

That wave of new talent continued as Emmanuel Ugbo tackled two events, posting a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 43.09 seconds and reaching tenth place in the 2x2x2 Cube with a 13.63 single solve. Jason Ogunnu made his official speedcubing debut with a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Cube of 2:07.36, while Dabira Rufus-Dada marked their first tournament solve with a 1:18.40 on the classic Rubik's Cube. Together, these breakthrough moments formed the hidden narrative of progress across the roster.

The 2023 contest highlighted the expanding reach of speed cubing in the region, bringing together competitors from across Nigeria who collectively secured all seventeen podium positions. From the opening scramble to the distribution of awards, the dedicated team of volunteers and officials kept every round running punctually. When the final 3x3 results were entered and the timers were packed away, Bright Sun Open 2023 stood as a vibrant celebration of community, coordination, and rapid solving.