Georgia April Open 2024

Inside the Collider working space in Tbilisi, Georgia, the distinct rhythmic clatter of plastic mechanisms filled the hall as competitors unpacked their gear and settled in for a packed day of solving. Bags were unzipped, timers were calibrated, and warm-up cubes spun through rapid finger sequences. A dedicated cohort of 23 competitors arrived for the Georgia April Open 2024 on April 28, 2024, representing an energetic mix of local Georgian solvers alongside travelers journeying from Belarus and Russia to test their skills across 12 scheduled rounds.

For those making long journeys across borders and regions to compete in Tbilisi, the single-day WCA competition offered an intensive slate of 6 distinct events. Speedcubing enthusiasts who traveled into the Georgian capital brought diverse backgrounds and seasoned experience, going shoulder-to-shoulder with home competitors. Every competitor took to the tables with purpose, eager to measure their training in an official speed cubing environment that celebrated every completed solve from early morning rounds straight through to the afternoon finals.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew 20 competitors across three competitive rounds, culminating in a fiercely contested final. Vako Marchilashvili secured the top spot on the podium, posting a winning average of 8.98 seconds and delivering the event's best single of 7.55 seconds. Tamar Dolenjishvili took second place with a razor-thin margin, finishing on a 9.01 average, while Nino Zguladze claimed third place with a 9.24 average. The tight 3x3 results demonstrated remarkable consistency among Georgia's elite solvers in the classic Rubik's Cube category.

Marchilashvili also captured the title in the 2x2x2 Cube, delivering a blazing 1.58 average after laying down a top single solve of 1.10 seconds across three rounds of play. Nino Zguladze claimed the runner-up spot on the 2x2x2 podium with an average of 2.51 seconds, and Andro Gvaramadze secured third place with 3.57 seconds. Marchilashvili remained a fixture near the top throughout the schedule, demonstrating sharp execution on both small puzzles and extended formats.

Tamar Dolenjishvili put together an extraordinary performance across multiple categories at the Georgia April Open 2024, claiming three separate gold finishes. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Dolenjishvili took the win with a 14.27 average and a 13.72 best single, finishing ahead of Gvaramadze at 17.23 and Marchilashvili at 17.47. Dolenjishvili also dominated the 4x4x4 Cube with a 33.45 winning average and a 29.25 single, and captured top honors in Pyraminx with a 4.07 average over Gvaramadze and Ketevan Feradze.

The Skewb tournament provided another thrilling podium battle among 11 contenders across two rounds. Andro Gvaramadze climbed to the top step of the podium, logging a 4.53 winning average alongside a 3.36 single solve. Tamar Dolenjishvili followed closely in second place with a 5.49 average, while Nino Zguladze completed the podium trio with a 6.01 average. In total, Georgian competitors swept all 18 podium positions available across the tournament schedule.

Behind the headline podiums, several solvers achieved remarkable personal milestones that highlighted the depth of the field. Luka Patashuri tackled 3 events, achieving a best finish of 5th place in 3x3x3 One-Handed while lowering his 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 2.37 seconds, an improvement of 33.8 percent. Nikolozi Jokhadze logged a personal best of 17.21 seconds in the 3x3x3 Cube, which was 26 percent faster than before, while also making a first career attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with a 5.60. Luka Subari took on 4 events and notched a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 2.18 seconds, improving by 24.8 percent. Ivane Okroadze registered a 3x3x3 Cube best of 24.93 seconds, cutting 21 percent from his prior mark.

Other competitors took on fresh disciplines or made massive progress across the board. Andrey Yakubovski traveled to compete across 6 events, securing a Pyraminx personal best of 4.47 seconds, which was 19.3 percent faster, and a 4x4x4 Cube personal best of 1:53.66. Saba Vepkhvadze entered 5 events, cutting 15.2 percent off his Pyraminx record with a 7.00 personal best. Vache Azirashvili completed his first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a 20.58, while Demetre Kepuladze attended his very first WCA competition, recording initial marks of 16.43 in 3x3x3 Cube, 7.40 in 2x2x2 Cube, and 12.92 in Pyraminx.

As the final timers were cleared from the Collider working space, the gathering reflected the vitality of the local community and the dedication of all who traveled to participate. With dozens of personal records and memorable performances recorded throughout the day, the Georgia April Open 2024 closed another thrilling chapter in regional competition, setting an inspiring benchmark for solvers preparing for the next season of play.