DIA EH Cube for Change Dubai B 2025

A blistering 1.37 single by Vladimir Tikhonenko in the 2x2x2 Cube signaled from the start that sprint events would define DIA EH Cube for Change Dubai B 2025. Held on January 26, 2025, at the Dubai International Academy - Emirates Hills venue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this high-energy cubing competition brought together 72 competitors across five events and seven rounds. The single-day tournament demonstrated the sheer depth of speedcubing talent in the region, delivering rapid-fire times on the smaller cubes alongside polished masterclasses on the larger hardware.

The 2x2x2 Cube final developed into a dramatic showdown between the top short-format specialists. Tikhonenko secured the victory with a 2.24 winning average, anchored by that dazzling 1.37 single. Zaid Taqi pushed the champion every step of the way, capturing second place with a 2.50 average and establishing an Oman national record single of 1.93 during the event. Ivan Polkanov completed the podium in third place with a 2.67 average, setting a personal best single of 1.59 along the way in a contest where every turn made a difference.

Polkanov took center stage when the field moved to the classic Rubik's Cube. In a competitive 3x3x3 Cube field of 68 contenders spanning two rounds, Polkanov secured the top step of the podium with a decisive 7.50 winning average and a 7.02 best single. The race behind him was equally tight, as Ali Ahmad Alchurbaji delivered a strong 7.98 average to claim second place. Tikhonenko secured his second podium spot of the day by taking third place with an 8.51 mark as the 3x3 results confirmed the dominance of the meet's top speed specialists.

Beyond the sprint formats, the competition featured intense multi-layered contests on the bigger cubes and side events. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Gabriel Tan took the title with a composed 32.96 average, edging out Polkanov who finished second at 33.44 and Tikhonenko in third at 36.23. Tan then added another gold medal to his tally in the Pyraminx, winning the 43-competitor event with a 6.08 average. Tikhonenko claimed second with 7.27, while Qais Ali Taqi grabbed third with a 7.92 average.

Polkanov returned to dominate the 5x5x5 Cube, where he was the only solver to break the one-minute threshold. His 49.94 winning average and 43.72 single proved unreachable for the rest of the 14-person field. Mohammed Al Said finished as the runner-up with a 1:08.23 average, and Akash Rupela rounded out the podium positions in third with a 1:10.94 average. Across all disciplines at DIA EH Cube for Change Dubai B 2025, podium finishes were distributed across five nations, led by Russia with eight top-three spots, Oman with three, Singapore with two, and one each for Syria and India.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors made monumental personal breakthroughs that showcased the vitality of the field. Rishab Malpani enjoyed an outstanding meet, taking 10th place in the 2x2x2 Cube while cutting his personal best down by 41.7 percent to 3.36, improving his 4x4x4 Cube mark by 34.8 percent to 1:36.60, and making his first ever official attempt at Pyraminx with a time of 15.64. Omar Abdullah Syed also delivered a massive leap on the 2x2x2 Cube, chopping his personal best by 65.6 percent to 5.83. In the Pyraminx, Subhan Waseem Shahzad improved his personal best by 35 percent to 9.60, while Izaak Kalix Diaz Zamora lowered his own Pyraminx best by 35.3 percent to 6.15.

Ammar Taqi took on all five disciplines at the competition, achieving a personal best improvement of 27.7 percent on the Pyraminx at 9.93 and logging his first official 5x5x5 Cube solve of 7:52.21 to secure 14th place. Advik Bansal placed fifth in Pyraminx and tackled his first 5x5x5 Cube attempt with a time of 1:33.52. First-time WCA competition entrants also embraced major multi-event programmes. Minzina Minhaj completed five events in their debut, registering first attempts across the 2x2x2 Cube, 4x4x4 Cube, and 5x5x5 Cube with a 13th-place finish at 6:08.07. Fellow newcomer David Matthew Penuela took on four events, setting an impressive opening mark of 58.73 on the 4x4x4 Cube to finish 12th.

The action at DIA EH Cube for Change Dubai B 2025 showed how quickly local speed cubing standards continue to rise across the board. From the rapid sub-two second singles in the short formats to the relentless focus required on the 5x5x5 Cube, the tournament delivered high-quality racing in every event. As the 2025 calendar unfolds, the standout times and new national marks established in Dubai set a high benchmark for the region's competitors heading into the rest of the season.