Haileybury Astana Open 2026

Alisher Kurmash produced a blistering 7.53 winning average in the 3x3x3 Cube to take the top step on the podium in the capital. The performance set the standard for a thrilling day of Rubik's Cube action as the Haileybury Astana Open 2026 gathered 33 competitors under the bright lights of the Haileybury school in Astana, Kazakhstan. Running across eight fast-paced rounds on April 26, 2026, the venue provided an energetic stage where both seasoned speedcubing veterans and fresh faces pushed their limits across seven official events.

The tournament hall buzzed throughout the day as competitors moved between staging areas and timing stations, filling the Haileybury school with the unmistakable clatter of quick turns and rapid timer stops. This cubing competition showcased a wide variety of puzzle disciplines, ranging from lightning-fast short sprints to methodical memory challenges. With 33 participants vying for honors across seven disciplines, the single-day gathering in Astana proved how competitive the regional scene has become throughout 2026.

Kurmash turned the venue into his personal showcase, claiming three separate titles across the weekend. Alongside his victory in the premier event, he dominated the 2x2x2 Cube with a winning average of 1.76 after opening the contest with a swift 1.40 single. He also conquered the 4x4x4 Cube, posting an event-best 27.66 single on his way to an unmatched 30.06 average. Kurmash added to his medal haul with second place in Skewb and bronze finishes in both Clock and Pyraminx, ending the day with five individual podium spots.

Damir Zhanataev proved to be the day's other major multiple winner, demonstrating incredible versatility across dramatically different formats. Zhanataev secured the Pyraminx crown with a 4.77 average, edging out Aisultan Turganbay who finished second in 5.10 and Kurmash who took third in 5.32. Zhanataev also handled the pressure of the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event, where memorisation and flawless execution yielded an average of 1:17.90 and a top single of 58.07, leading Abzal Amirgali and Samgat Mynbai in a Kazakh podium sweep.

The remaining events at the Haileybury Astana Open 2026 brought international triumphs to the podium. In the Clock event, Tristan Connor Smith of the USA topped a field of 14 entrants with a 7.74 winning average, besting Aidar Nadir who finished second with 8.43. Meanwhile, the Skewb competition saw Russia's Anna Fomina take gold with an average of 5.92 and a 4.18 single, finishing ahead of Kurmash at 7.29 and Damir Issakov at 7.31 in a tightly contested final round.

Behind the top podium spots, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones away from the spotlight. Maksat Amantaev achieved a massive breakthrough in Skewb, recording a 5.84 personal best that was 68 percent faster than his previous 18.27 mark, while also taking seventh place and setting a 10.09 personal best in 3x3x3. Anton Kulyukin lowered his Pyraminx personal best to 7.63, improving by 63.9 percent over his old 21.14 mark, alongside personal bests in 2x2x2 and 3x3x3. Dias Arkharov took on six events, finishing fourth in 3x3x3 Blindfolded and logging his first attempts in 4x4x4 Cube with 2:24.83, Clock with 24.96, and Pyraminx with 13.13. Dias Toregeldin contested six events, claiming eighth in Skewb with a debut 8.39, while also recording his first attempts in Pyraminx at 7.42 and Clock at 13.24.

The drive for self-improvement continued through the middle of the pack across every round. Erasyl Beisenov entered six events and cut his Skewb personal best down to 8.76, an improvement of 33.4 percent from 13.16, alongside personal bests in 4x4x4 Cube and Pyraminx. Murat Mansur recorded a 27.6 percent drop in his 3x3x3 personal best with an 8.72 single, took seventh in 2x2x2 Cube, and registered his first 4x4x4 attempt at 1:03.45. Miras Rysbai placed eighth in Pyraminx with a 5.36 personal best, trimmed his Clock time to 22.17, and took his first crack at 4x4x4 with 1:06.34. Yerkanat Kengshilik stepped up for his first WCA competition, taking on four events and securing seventh place in Pyraminx with a 4.48 mark on his first try.

When examining the official 3x3 results from the Haileybury school, the competition at the top remained remarkably tight. Damir Issakov earned silver in the 3x3x3 Cube with a 7.84 average, while Zhanataev secured bronze with 8.84 to replicate their close battles across other puzzles. Issakov also earned silver in the 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.33 average and the 4x4x4 Cube with a 32.75 average, showing consistent elite speed across multiple cube sizes during this standout speed cubing event.

Host nation competitors enjoyed an exceptional day in the Kazakh capital, capturing 19 of the 21 available podium places across all seven events. From the technical mastery shown on the larger cubes to the sharp precision of the side events, the Haileybury Astana Open 2026 provided an exemplary showcase of regional talent. As the competitors depart the Haileybury school venue, the stage is set for an exciting remainder of the 2026 season.