Hotel Forum Open 2025

Roger Nataniel Issassa dos Santos delivered a masterclass under pressure, claiming victory in the 4x4x4 Cube with a 38.15 average and a blistering single of 29.73. Unlike events with five-solve cushions where a disastrous attempt can be discarded, the demands of large puzzles require unflinching consistency across every turn. A single lockup or miscalculation can instantly ruin a podium chase, yet Issassa dos Santos kept his composure through every phase of the contest.

The Hotel Forum Open 2025 brought fast-paced speedcubing action to Luanda, Angola, on August 23, 2025. Hosted at the Hotel Forum on Avenida Ho Chi Minhn in Alvalade, the WCA competition gathered 28 competitors across four distinct disciplines and seven total rounds. From the classic Rubik's Cube to specialized twisty puzzles, participants faced intense scrutiny on the timing mats throughout the single-day gathering.

Issassa dos Santos carried his dominant form directly into the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, securing his second title of the cubing competition. He topped a field of 27 competitors across two rounds, finishing with an average of 10.22 and recording a round-best single of 9.90. The 3x3 results confirmed a tightly contested final, with Hilton Adolfo Cardoso Batalha taking second place with an 11.04 average and José Francisco Manuel securing third with 11.10.

Beyond the traditional cube, the weekend showcased sharp precision across the alternate categories. Daniel Ginina Vunge emerged on top in Pyraminx, logging an impressive winning average of 5.25 and a best single of 3.40 across two rounds. Kiary Roque Russo followed closely behind in second place with a 6.09 average, while Valentino Chalale completed the podium with a 6.92 mark in the final.

Kiary Roque Russo earned top honors in Square-1, a puzzle known for its shifting geometries and unforgiving execution. Russo mastered the single-round format by posting a winning average of 24.81 and a single of 19.92 to lead the pack of six competitors. Roger Nataniel Issassa dos Santos added another podium to his collection by placing second with 29.11, while Ariclenes Ebenézer Dias Manuel captured third place with an average of 38.30.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors achieved remarkable breakthroughs that highlighted the depth of the local scene. Vihaan Pawan Jetley registered an enormous step forward in the 3x3x3 Cube, setting a personal best of 26.64 that was 48.4 percent faster than his prior mark. Carlos Junior de Carvalho Correia completed his first ever attempt at Square-1 with a 16.98, placed fourth overall in that event, lowered his Pyraminx personal best to 8.14 by 40.7 percent, and cut his 4x4x4 Cube best to 43.50.

The milestone performances continued across the roster of competitors. André Firmino Tchivango lowered his Pyraminx personal best to 9.88, an improvement of 40.4 percent, while taking fourth place in the 4x4x4 Cube and logging a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 9.58. Reynold Filipe Moniz Buila took on three events, posting a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with 10.35, a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube in 3:36.16, and a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 32.67 that was 29.9 percent faster than before. Mirian Ediane Dias Manuel recorded her first ever attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube with 2:27.41 and improved her 3x3x3 Cube mark to 51.16.

Fresh talent also left a strong mark during their official debuts. Élzio Yohaness Januário Gonçalves completed three events in his first WCA competition, recording initial marks of 28.33 in 3x3x3 Cube, 9.67 in Pyraminx, and 2:09.94 in 4x4x4 Cube. Kinavuidi Simão Paxe improved his 4x4x4 Cube personal best to 1:15.58, a 15.7 percent drop, and placed 14th in 3x3x3 Cube. Rui Verona Issassa dos Santos lowered his 3x3x3 Cube mark to 21.75, an improvement of 13 percent.

The 4x4x4 Cube podium rounded out an all-Angolan sweep across every single category at the tournament. Behind winner Roger Nataniel Issassa dos Santos, Hilton Adolfo Cardoso Batalha secured second place with an average of 43.61, while Daniel Ginina Vunge took third place with 45.53. In total, Angolan competitors claimed all 12 podium spots available throughout the event program.

As the final timers were packed away, the Hotel Forum Open 2025 stood as a celebration of local talent and high-level speed cubing skill in Luanda. With personal bests tumbling across multiple disciplines and established leaders defending their ranks, the tournament concluded an energetic chapter for the community ahead of the next competitive season.