Choo Choo Cubing A 2024

Sixty-six competitors converged on the Hilton Garden Inn Chattanooga/Hamilton Place on January 13, 2024, creating an intense day of high-stakes speedcubing. With eleven rounds scheduled across five official disciplines, reaching any final required absolute consistency under pressure. The single-day schedule left no room for early mistakes, as contenders in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA battled through crowded qualification brackets. From the opening turns to the late-afternoon finals, the depth of the roster ensured that every advancing spot was fiercely contested, turning the tournament into an unrelenting test of nerve.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew 65 entrants into a three-round marathon, where every fractional second separated the contenders from elimination. Caleb Chen delivered under the spotlight, claiming first place with a winning average of 6.12 seconds and a best single of 5.86. Dominic Redisi followed closely in second place with an average of 6.86, while Jared Stinson took third with a mark of 7.84. In a bracket packed with talent, the standard of 3x3 results remained exceptionally high as finalists pushed the classic Rubik's Cube to its absolute mechanical limits.

Dominic Redisi made a major impact across the board, capturing the Skewb title behind a winning average of 2.19 seconds and a tournament-best single of 1.32. Tyler Buel earned the runner-up spot on the Skewb podium with a 3.23 average, while Ireland's Declan Mangan-Lamb secured third place with 3.60. Redisi proved his range throughout Choo Choo Cubing A 2024, backing up his sprint-puzzle dominance by collecting podium finishes in 3x3x3 Cube, 5x5x5 Cube, and Megaminx, showing remarkable versatility across varying puzzle sizes and turning mechanics.

The big cube categories demanded sustained precision from everyone looking to survive the early rounds. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Micah Morrison emerged on top of a 46-competitor field with a winning average of 28.76 seconds, featuring a best single of 26.54. Katie Hull challenged for the top step, finishing second with a 30.02 average, while Jared Stinson locked up third place in 31.48. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Hull reversed the order at the top by winning the event with an average of 55.69, edging out Stinson's 56.38 and Redisi's 57.58 in a tightly grouped podium.

Twelve-sided Megaminx solving provided another demanding challenge, requiring extensive tactical stamina. Jared Stinson demonstrated commanding control throughout the final round, taking victory with a 35.24 average and a best single solve of 32.92. Owen Morrison took second place with a 44.24 average, and Dominic Redisi claimed third with 52.44. The rigorous two-round format tested the endurance of all 34 competitors who entered, reinforcing the high degree of difficulty present across every discipline at Choo Choo Cubing A 2024.

Beyond the championship races, personal milestones defined the heart of the cubing competition. Ella Deroy delivered a standout performance, logging a Skewb personal best of 5.00 seconds, which was 40.9 percent faster than her prior mark, alongside a Megaminx personal best of 2:07.49 that improved by 10.8 percent. Addison Eaton took on five separate events, achieving a 25.7 percent improvement on Megaminx with a personal best of 2:59.10 and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 22.2 percent to 17.18. Tennessee Jamison cut 24.9 percent from their 3x3x3 Cube personal best to record 25.72, while also logging a first ever attempt at Megaminx in 3:26.28.

The drive to expand repertoires continued across the venue as competitors stepped onto the stage for unfamiliar formats. Ryan Strickland entered five events, recording a 5x5x5 Cube personal best of 1:30.33 that improved by 24.2 percent, while posting a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube in 45.32 seconds. Sidney Rett notched a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 16.77, a 23.9 percent drop, and completed a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 1:59.47. Shook Anderson Gallagher registered a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 14.87, improving by 21.8 percent, while marking a first ever attempt at Skewb in 19.38. Jack Ewing tackled five events, completing a first ever attempt at Megaminx in 3:16.90, while Mason Jeffery Davis posted a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 3:35.54 during a five-event campaign.

For the newcomers, this official speed cubing gathering offered a memorable welcome into the community. Samuel Rizkalla took on five events in their first WCA competition, logging a 3x3x3 Cube single of 38.28 seconds and a Skewb effort of 17.47. First-time entrant Kaleb Monroe made their debut with marks of 9.69 in Skewb and 1:01.06 in 3x3x3 Cube. Fellow debutants Eztli Lee and Thaxton Mobley also registered their inaugural marks, with Lee finishing 3x3x3 Cube in 26.66 seconds and Mobley completing their opening solve in 21.79.

When the final timer stopped at Choo Choo Cubing A 2024, the day had proven that success in modern speedcubing requires both elite top-end speed and the stamina to navigate crowded qualification rounds. With 14 podium positions won by United States competitors and one by Ireland, the event showcased a formidable standard of regional and international talent. As the equipment was packed away, Choo Choo Cubing A 2024 stood as a testament to the thriving depth, dedication, and sportsmanship across the competitive scene.