Gigiri Cubing Open AM 2025

Forty-one competitors gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, as the Gigiri Cubing Open AM 2025 delivered a thrilling showcase of rapid talent development across five fast-paced rounds on March 1, 2025. Held at The Gigiri Court Yard, the event highlighted the vibrant momentum of local speedcubing as emerging solvers demonstrated staggering strides on the official stage. Across four distinct disciplines, the single-day gathering proved that dedicated training is reshaping the competitive landscape in the region, with newcomers and returning solvers cutting significant time off their previous personal marks.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube category drew a packed field of 40 competitors through two intense rounds of classic Rubik's Cube solving. In the final, David Wachira clinched the victory with a winning average of 12.60 seconds, bolstered by the best single of the entire event at 12.30 seconds. Wachira held off Mathias Ile, who secured second place with an average of 12.92 seconds, and Lucas Gitau, who took third on the podium with a mark of 14.38 seconds. The tight 3x3 results demonstrated remarkable consistency among the frontrunners.

The 2x2x2 Cube event saw 27 competitors battle through a single high-speed round where James Kariuki rose to the top. Kariuki earned the gold medal with a winning average of 4.73 seconds alongside a best single of 4.41 seconds. He was closely pursued by Eman Kabiru, who claimed second place with an average of 5.32 seconds, and Fred Kilele, who rounded out the podium in third with an average of 5.63 seconds. The event was a showcase of sharp execution and quick recognition on the compact puzzle.

In the Pyraminx competition, 17 participants took to the tables for a single round of sharp triangular solving. Kyle Punguh Misigo captured the title, producing a winning average of 8.20 seconds with a best single of 7.21 seconds. Lucas Gitau earned his second podium placement of the day by securing runner-up honours with an average of 8.49 seconds. Kelvin Githiari Waturi completed the top three with an average of 10.97 seconds, continuing an impressive campaign across multiple formats.

Kelvin Githiari Waturi found the top step in the Skewb discipline, prevailing over six competitors to claim victory with a winning average of 9.62 seconds and a best single of 7.15 seconds. Eman Kabiru picked up another podium finish by taking second place with an average of 10.39 seconds, while Kyle Punguh Misigo collected third place with a 22.95 average. The varied disciplines at this speed cubing showcase tested spatial awareness and dexterity across diverse corner-turning and mechanical formats.

Beyond the podium battles, the true heart of the Gigiri Cubing Open AM 2025 lived within the massive individual leaps recorded across the floor. Ian Kipyegon turned in an extraordinary performance, delivering a 2x2x2 Cube personal best single of 3.18 seconds, which was 68.5 percent faster than his previous mark of 10.11 seconds, alongside a 3x3x3 Cube best of 23.44 seconds to finish fifth in 2x2x2 Cube. Alfa Kinyanjui showed similar explosive growth, clocking a 2x2x2 Cube single of 3.92 seconds to slash 67.5 percent off his previous 12.06 best and achieve a 15th-place finish. Isaac Mwangi cut his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 65.5 percent down to 14.78 seconds on his way to an eighth-place finish, while Aryan Pattni took on three events and lowered his 2x2x2 Cube best to 4.47 seconds for a seventh-place finish.

Several competitors embracing their very first WCA competition made bold statements across multiple disciplines. Mark Otieno Achar entered three events, setting a 2x2x2 Cube best of 6.52 seconds that was 27.8 percent faster than before and placing sixth in Pyraminx. Palaash Gupta took on four events in his debut, recording a first attempt at Pyraminx in 21.53 seconds on his way to fifth in Skewb. Ethan Thei also tackled four events for the first time, achieving a fourth-place finish in Skewb with a first official run of 18.36 seconds. Wesley Arshavin impressed in his two-event debut, logging a first attempt of 6.42 seconds in 2x2x2 Cube to place tenth and a 14.93 single in the 3x3x3 Cube.

The 12 total podium spots across all four events were captured entirely by Kenyan solvers, underscoring the deep concentration of domestic talent flourishing in 2025. From seasoned contenders executing dependable solutions to rapid newcomers outperforming their prior benchmarks, the gathering demonstrated the expanding depth of the local community. The Gigiri Cubing Open AM 2025 concluded as a testament to hard work and steady refinement, establishing a high benchmark for every athlete as they prepare for their next cubing competition.