Cubing Mada 2026

Single-hand solving strips away the safety net of dual-hand stabilization, turning the 3x3x3 One-Handed event into a test of fingertrick efficiency and raw lookahead. At Skate Park Antanimena, Rodrigue Hermanne Rafanambinantsoa demonstrated total mastery of the discipline by capturing the title with an average of 13.97 seconds and a single of 12.09 across three intense rounds. That commanding display set the tone for Cubing Mada 2026, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar over March 28 and 29. The speedcubing fixture brought together 47 competitors battling across 10 events and 21 rounds, showcasing elite problem-solving across classic cubes, big cubes, and side events alike.

Rafanambinantsoa topped the One-Handed podium ahead of Anjatiana Ramarajaona, who secured second with a 15.29 average, and Fitiavana Sylvestre Rabevohitra, who took third at 15.94. The victory proved to be only one chapter of a standout weekend for Rafanambinantsoa. Beyond managing the specialized demands of single-handed turning, he also clinched gold in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 57.04 average and conquered the Megaminx with a 57.22 mark, further highlighting his versatility on the larger multi-layered puzzles against strong national competition.

The traditional 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube featured the largest lineup of the weekend, drawing all 47 entrants across three full rounds. In a tight final where margins were counted in hundredths of a second, Ranarison Fiderana Lioka claimed first place with a 9.13 winning average and the best single of the event at 7.31. Lioka edged out Tolotra Ny Avo Andriamamonjisoa, who took second step on the podium with a 9.17 average, while Ramarajaona earned another podium finish by taking third in 10.39. The 3x3 results capped a high-caliber showcase of speed cubing in the capital.

In the larger twisty puzzles, Tolotsoa Joanah Lalarijaona delivered an exceptional showing to win the 4x4x4 Cube with a 32.61 average and a blistering single of 25.42. Lalarijaona finished ahead of Rafanambinantsoa, who posted a 33.87 average for second place, and Rabevohitra, who earned third with 37.47. Lalarijaona added another gold medal to his weekend collection in the Clock discipline, posting an average of 14.61 to lead the 10-competitor field, while also earning bronze in Pyraminx with a 9.27 average.

The 2x2x2 Cube event saw Randy Mandimbisoa claim the title with a 3.08 average and a best single of 2.94, navigating a 31-competitor bracket and three complete rounds. Mandimbisoa held off Andriamamonjisoa, who finished second at 3.43, and Rafanambinantsoa, who took third with 3.88. In the Pyraminx, Manoa Ramanahadray proved unbeatable across two rounds, taking the win with a 5.61 average and a 3.40 single. Ramanahadray also showcased deep mental discipline in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, claiming first place with a 1:02.90 single, while Rabevohitra rounded out the event victors by taking the Skewb crown with a 6.90 average.

Beyond the title fights, this WCA competition revealed massive progress among competitors expanding their repertoires. Brayan Randriamanantany tackled 5 events, cutting 40.3 percent off his 2x2x2 Cube personal best to record a 2.70 while registering his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed in 27.63 and Pyraminx in 8.25. Andraina Miharitiana Rakotoarison improved his Pyraminx personal best by 33.8 percent to 7.78 and posted his first ever attempts at 2x2x2 Cube in 7.62 and 3x3x3 Cube in 23.37. Daniel Mikaia Ramandaniarivo dropped his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best by 31.9 percent down to 14.68, alongside his first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube in 59.85 and Megaminx in 2:02.68.

That same drive was evident throughout the lineup at Cubing Mada 2026. Ilan Rajaonarivo logged a 27 percent improvement in his 3x3x3 Cube personal best with a 15.63 solve, adding first attempts in 2x2x2 Cube at 6.60 and Pyraminx at 12.40. Aro Mandresy Razakarivonifidy lowered his 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best by 26.1 percent to 17.89 and took seventh in 2x2x2 Cube with a first attempt of 2.82. Taher Akbaraly took on 8 events, posting a 27.2 percent improvement on Pyraminx with a 9.04 personal best. Juliann Moulins-Castells delivered first ever attempts in 4x4x4 Cube at 2:32.71 and Skewb at 10.32, while Mahatoky Ramanahadray recorded his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 2:12.62 and Skewb in 14.31.

The 2026 meeting at Skate Park Antanimena demonstrated the growing strength and depth across Madagascar's solving community. With 30 total podium spots swept by Malagasy cubers across ten disciplines, the two days of competition provided both established champions and emerging talents the platform to push their limits. As the cubing competition circuit moves forward into the season, the high standards set in Antananarivo establish an exciting benchmark for upcoming national tournaments.