DeNxNver 2026

A blistering 1.96-second final average on the 2x2x2 Cube by Jude Doland set the tone for an exhilarating day of competitive solving at DeNxNver 2026. Held at the Embassy Suites in Denver, Colorado, USA on January 31, 2026, the single-day gathering brought together 89 competitors across six different puzzle categories. With young solvers shaving massive margins off their previous marks and tackling complex puzzles for the very first time, the energy inside the venue showcased how fast the next wave of talent is developing.

The 3x3x3 Cube served as the centerpiece of the program, drawing all 89 entrants across two fiercely contested rounds. When the dust settled on the final, Jack Bellomy captured the top step of the podium with a winning average of 7.09 seconds, backed by a best single solve of 6.38. Jacob Nokes secured second place with a 7.39 average, while Evan Wilson took third place averaging 8.28. These top-tier 3x3 results highlighted the razor-thin margins that define modern speedcubing at the highest levels.

Jacob Nokes authored the most dominant campaign of the entire cubing competition, sweeping all four big cube divisions on the schedule. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Nokes took first place with a 28.60 average and a single of 25.81, outpacing Bellomy who recorded a 29.60 average, and third-place finisher Jack Roe at 32.07. That gold medal set off an extraordinary run across the larger mechanical puzzles, where patience and spatial recognition are tested to their limits.

Nokes continued his march in the 5x5x5 Cube, winning with an average of 49.52 seconds after two rounds of play, while Bellomy took second with a 59.13 average and Raymos Castillo claimed third with 59.96. The higher-order puzzles produced an identical podium order. In the single round of 6x6x6 Cube, Nokes captured victory in 1:33.79, followed by Bellomy at 1:40.13 and Castillo at 1:40.96. Nokes then sealed his quadruple crown in the 7x7x7 Cube, posting a winning mark of 2:15.59 ahead of Bellomy at 2:27.90 and Castillo at 2:37.46.

The 2x2x2 Cube event was a showcase of explosive sprint solving across two rounds among 79 entrants. Following Jude Doland and his title-winning 1.96 average, Kian Cline secured the silver medal with a 2.21 average, and Bryan B. Conrrado earned bronze with a 2.35 average. The lightning-fast format allowed solvers to demonstrate sheer finger speed and immediate inspection planning, providing a high-octane contrast to the endurance required by the massive seven-layered Rubik's Cube variants.

Away from the top of the standings, the heart of the weekend lived in the rapid progression of developing competitors making massive personal breakthroughs. Matthew Druckenmiller entered six events and cut his 6x6x6 Cube personal best down to 2:41.11, an improvement of 49.7 percent over his previous mark, while also recording a first ever attempt of 43.53 on the 4x4x4 Cube. Naveen Boyer dropped his 2x2x2 Cube best by 63.8 percent to 6.27 and lowered his 3x3x3 Cube best by 30 percent to 28.99. Cooper Lawson took on four events, achieving an 11.21 personal best on the 3x3x3 Cube that was 31.4 percent faster than before, alongside a 38.2 percent drop on the 4x4x4 Cube to 52.88. Joey Daniel shaved 14.6 percent off his 5x5x5 Cube mark to hit 1:42.71 and logged a first 7x7x7 Cube solve of 4:50.57.

First-time official attempts in demanding events highlighted how quickly ambitious solvers expand their repertoires at a WCA competition. Grayson Reading completed all six events on the schedule, logging a first ever attempt of 1:52.57 in the 5x5x5 Cube and finishing 27th in the 7x7x7 Cube with a 5:16.21 result. Jack Phillips tackled six events and posted a 19.3 percent personal best of 1:43.37 in the 5x5x5 Cube while attempting the 6x6x6 Cube for the first time in 3:57.01. Making their debut appearances, Benjamin Bebenek took on six events with an initial 25.82 solve on the 3x3x3 Cube, and Wyatt Graffis entered four events, posting a 22.02 first attempt on the classic puzzle.

Across nine total rounds, all 18 podium positions awarded throughout the day were claimed by solvers representing the host nation. DeNxNver 2026 demonstrated the depth of the local speed cubing community, pairing elite performances at the championship tables with dramatic personal strides among rising competitors. As the season unfolds, the rapid time drops recorded in Denver show that these emerging solvers are poised to push the boundaries of every event even further.