Durban Winter 2024

Thirty-three competitors gathered under one roof as the excitement of a high-energy cubing competition brought solvers together in KwaZulu-Natal. Taking place on June 8, 2024, at Atholl Heights Primary School, Durban Winter 2024 demonstrated how a shared passion for speedcubing turns rivalries into community bonds. Solvers spent the day comparing techniques, resetting timers for peers, and sharing warm conversations across nine intense rounds. Five official events kept tables buzzing with non-stop action from the morning heats to the late afternoon finals in Durban, South Africa.

The social atmosphere off the stage made the high-stakes races at the tables all the more captivating. In the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, 30 contenders tested their prowess through three full rounds of classic Rubik's Cube solving. Christian Swartz claimed the top step of the podium with a winning average of 9.53 seconds, holding off a fierce challenge from Waseem Hoosain, who secured second place with an average of 9.66. Maverick Pearson completed the podium in third place with a 10.20 average, while Swartz also registered the round's best single solve at 8.49 seconds to lock down the premier 3x3 results.

Beyond the standard puzzle, the schedule allowed participants to explore alternate formats and specialized categories. Waseem Hoosain produced a dominant showing across multiple disciplines, claiming three separate gold finishes throughout the day. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Hoosain earned victory with a 3.23 average, edging Christian Swartz at 3.28 and Maverick Pearson at 3.39 in a razor-thin final round. Hoosain also secured the best single solve of the event at 3.01 seconds, underscoring his fast execution on the smaller puzzle.

Hoosain carried that sharp form into the 4x4x4 Cube, where he sealed first place with a 33.20 average and a quick 29.79 single solve. Pearson and Swartz joined him on the podium again, placing second with 44.32 and third with 48.00 respectively. Later, during the 3x3x3 One-Handed competition, Hoosain showed his single-handed dexterity by recording an average of 16.49 and a top single of 13.83 seconds. Pearson followed closely behind in second place at 17.46, while Swartz grabbed third with a 19.61 average.

Pyraminx brought a different geometric flavor to the floor, drawing a deep field of 29 participants across two rounds. Chase Lee Roodt mastered the triangular puzzle to win gold with a 5.43 average and a rapid single solve of 4.10 seconds. Maverick Pearson took second place with a 6.54 average, while Christian Swartz picked up another award with a third-place average of 7.29. The varied slate rewarded versatility, ensuring competitors had plenty of opportunities to cheer for fellow solvers between stages.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the heart of the tournament beat strongest in personal breakthroughs and daring new ventures. Abubakar Ahmed delivered massive strides on the stage, taking fifth in the 3x3x3 Cube while dropping his 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 3.70 seconds, which was 78.1 percent faster than before, alongside an 8.03 Pyraminx mark that improved by 51.4 percent. Bayden Boesak also posted dramatic drops, lowering his Pyraminx personal best to 4.77 seconds, an improvement of 53.8 percent, and slashing his 2x2x2 Cube best by 50.2 percent to 2.85 seconds. Riaan Subramoney had an outstanding run across five events, finishing fourth in Pyraminx with a personal best of 4.88 seconds, 47.1 percent faster than his prior record.

For several attendees, the day marked bold debuts in unfamiliar disciplines and major milestone steps. Shay Aj Hardavnarain cut his 3x3x3 Cube best to 34.66 seconds, a 46.8 percent improvement, while logging his first official attempts in Pyraminx at 7.56 and 2x2x2 Cube at 10.56. Prerna Soopal entered five events, recording a 7.89 personal best on Pyraminx that was 42.3 percent faster, alongside first attempts in the 4x4x4 Cube at 2:02.62 and One-Handed at 41.71. Shuver Sadapal improved his Pyraminx personal best by 42.5 percent to 11.69 seconds, Zechariah Pillay chopped 37.1 percent off his 4x4x4 Cube best to finish in 1:59.44, and Erin Seth Padachie took on five events, completing first-ever attempts in One-Handed at 48.00 and 4x4x4 Cube at 1:41.48.

The spirit of welcoming newcomers defined the atmosphere, as first-time competitors stepped up to official timers without hesitation. Taiveer Roopnarian, Landon Moses, Benjamin Christison, and Elsabé Erasmus all navigated their first official speed cubing experience with confidence, logging initial marks across multiple categories. From beginner solves to seasoned races, every round was greeted with mutual support from fellow competitors who shared advice on hardware, lubrication, and finger tricks.

When the final timers clicked off, all fifteen available podium positions across the five events were claimed by competitors representing South Africa. Durban Winter 2024 succeeded in bringing together a tight-knit community of solvers who celebrated individual growth as much as championship hardware. As equipment was packed away at Atholl Heights Primary School, participants left with fresh personal milestones, memorable head-to-head battles, and enduring connections to carry into the next chapter of regional speedcubing.