Colombo Matrix Open 2023

Fifteen distinct events packed the schedule at Ananda College as the Colombo Matrix Open 2023 brought together 116 speedcubers from April 7 to April 9. The three-day WCA competition delivered 19 rounds of relentless action in Colombo, Sri Lanka, celebrating the entire spectrum of mechanical puzzles. From the traditional Rubik's Cube to intricate twelve-sided dodecahedrons and layered big cubes, competitors took on diverse formats requiring unique spatial reasoning, turning dexterity, and cognitive stamina across a thrilling weekend of speedcubing.

The premier 3x3 results topped the weekend schedule through three intensive rounds featuring 113 entrants. Ziyu Ye claimed the main event title by posting a winning average of 6.45 seconds alongside a tournament-best single of 5.19. Ye proved equally dominant on the smaller 2x2x2 Cube, securing the gold medal across two rounds with an exceptional 1.58 average and a 1.21 single. The classic three-layered event demonstrated intense pacing, establishing a high benchmark for the multi-puzzle gathering.

Big cubes proved to be the domain of Sujan Irosha Kumarapperuma, who orchestrated a massive sweep of the heavier hardware. Kumarapperuma secured victory in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 34.96 average, outperforming Nabhan Niyaz who posted 42.99 for second place and Samath Keppitiyagama in third with 44.09. Moving up in layers, Kumarapperuma captured the 5x5x5 Cube title with an average of 1:00.37, while Niyaz and Yifan Wang rounded out the podium with averages of 1:19.70 and 1:34.77 respectively.

The larger puzzles demanded immense endurance, and Kumarapperuma continued his dominance on the top tiers. In the 6x6x6 Cube, he topped the field with a 2:07.29 average, ahead of Niyaz with 2:54.24 and Wang with 3:14.45. Kumarapperuma then concluded the big cube circuit with a 7x7x7 Cube victory in 3:39.70, followed by Wang at 4:40.94 and Niyaz at 5:10.71. Adding to his versatile weekend, Kumarapperuma also won Megaminx with an average of 1:10.01 and placed third in Pyraminx with a 4.30 mark.

Beyond standard face-turning cubes, the roster of events demanded entirely different solving mechanics. Shuda Huang took first place in Pyraminx with a winning average of 2.89 seconds, besting Ye who clocked 3.55. In 3x3x3 One-Handed, Samath Keppitiyagama commanded the table with an average of 17.61, clear of Theviru Vihansith Samaraweera at 20.88 and Ye at 21.92. Square-1 saw Banura Perera take the top step with a 24.57 average, narrowly edging Keppitiyagama at 25.11 and Niyaz at 29.81. Skewb went to Sirima Witharanage Sathmika Navoda in 5.50 seconds, while Duneth Nisala Praveen Ranaweera won Clock in 8.67.

Behind the top podium steps, dedicated competitors made substantial leaps across multiple events. Abethunga Kankanam Gamachchige Sanuth Dulmina delivered a massive personal best of 5.29 seconds in 2x2x2 Cube, representing a 57.7 percent improvement, while also logging a first attempt in Skewb at 8.91. Humaid Musthak shaved 46.8 percent off his 3x3x3 Cube best with a 12.41 single and tackled his first 3x3x3 One-Handed solve in 47.47. Layuru Chenuka improved his 2x2x2 Cube best by 42.8 percent to 4.73 and completed his first 5x5x5 Cube attempt in 4:18.41. Lisul Jayasinghe dropped his 2x2x2 Cube personal mark by 37.7 percent down to 4.52 while recording initial attempts in 4x4x4 Cube and 3x3x3 One-Handed.

The depth of participation extended to several athletes tackling broad schedules and unfamiliar puzzles. Naveed Irshad dropped his 4x4x4 Cube best by 33.7 percent to 1:08.75 and logged his first attempts in both Square-1 and 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Abdur Rahman Azmi contested eight separate disciplines, registering his first official marks in Clock, Square-1, and Fewest Moves alongside a fourth-place 2x2x2 Cube finish. Rathnayake Mudiyanselage Kavishka Anuhas Rathnayake made his first WCA appearance across seven events, highlighted by an 18th-place mark in 5x5x5 Cube, while Neleththi Nipun Maleesha Divyanjana also debuted across seven events with a 14th-place effort in 5x5x5 Cube and a 7.52 Pyraminx attempt.

Specialty disciplines rounded out the weekend with complex mental challenges. Yifan Wang claimed the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves title with a single of 22 moves and took gold in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a 18.03 single, leading Sora Wenjie Xu at 35.84 and Niyaz at 1:43.85. Nabhan Niyaz captured the 3x3x3 Multi-Blind event by successfully memorizing and solving 8 out of 8 cubes in 50:15. In all, competitors representing Sri Lanka secured 30 podium places, while entrants from China earned 16.

The Colombo Matrix Open 2023 highlighted how expansive speed cubing has become in the region throughout 2023. By offering 15 varied events, the cubing competition rewarded specialists, versatile all-rounders, and newcomers alike, cementing a memorable weekend of competitive puzzle solving at Ananda College.