KUbing Nepal 2023

Inside the Social Hall at Kathmandu University, timers flashed steadily against the hum of turning plastic as 52 competitors took their seats across two days of intense competition. The multi-round schedule set a demanding pace from the opening solves to the deciding finals. On December 2 and 3, the venue hosted seven different events, creating an atmosphere where every turn mattered as participants navigated the progression from preliminary heats to the podium stages.

KUbing Nepal 2023 offered a comprehensive test of puzzle-solving across 14 scheduled rounds, requiring competitors to adapt quickly to varying round formats. The structure demanded consistency over multiple attempts, particularly in the longer elimination brackets where only the sharpest averages advanced. Across the weekend in Dhulikhel, Nepal, Nepal, the field tackled everything from standard twisty puzzles to side events, showcasing the steady growth of speedcubing across the region throughout 2023.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew 49 competitors through three rounds of rigorous progression. Aarbid Bhattarai emerged victorious at the top of the 3x3 results, capturing first place with a winning average of 9.29 and securing the best single solve of the event at 9.09. Salon Ngakhushi pushed through each round to secure second place with an average of 10.54, while Anubhav Gyawali rounded out the podium in third with a mark of 13.13 on the classic Rubik's Cube.

Bhattarai and Ngakhushi established a remarkable rivalry across multiple finals throughout this WCA competition. In the 2x2x2 Cube, which featured 30 competitors across two rounds, Bhattarai took the title with a 3.10 average and a single of 2.43, finishing ahead of Ngakhushi who took silver at 3.74, while Risab Subedi finished third at 4.75. Bhattarai also claimed the top spot in 3x3x3 One-Handed after two rounds among 17 competitors, logging a winning average of 16.16 and a single of 15.93 to edge Ngakhushi's 17.49 and Subedi's 23.71.

Ngakhushi asserted control across the larger mechanisms and specialized puzzles. In the 4x4x4 Cube, contested over two rounds with 18 competitors, Ngakhushi took gold with a 40.01 average and a 38.41 single, narrowly besting Bhattarai's 41.39 average and Subedi's 1:00.17. Ngakhushi followed that triumph by winning the Skewb final with an average of 6.29 and taking the Square-1 straight final with an average of 21.49, finishing ahead of Aayush Gajurel at 30.40 and Subedi at 43.93.

Beyond the championship battles, KUbing Nepal 2023 provided a stage for several standout individual milestones. Birat Shrestha delivered massive progress, posting a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 13.42 to finish 48.6 percent faster than his prior mark, while also logging his first ever attempt at Pyraminx with an 8.60 solve. Sabin Subedi demonstrated tremendous growth across three events, lowering his 4x4x4 Cube personal best by 30.2 percent to 59.72 and his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark by 24.8 percent to 24.99. Suvanga Upadhayaya recorded a remarkable 48 percent drop on 3x3x3 Cube with a personal best of 21.09, and Ishreya Manandhar improved his 3x3x3 Cube best to 12.23, which was 28.3 percent faster than before.

The weekend also marked crucial debuts and breakthroughs across the broader field. First-time speed cubing tournament entrants made an immediate impression, including Aashish Napit, who entered four events, earned a fifth-place finish in Skewb with a 6.80 single, and logged a 4.80 single in 2x2x2 Cube. Ishan Ratna Tuladhar took on four events in his first competition, completing his first attempts with a 33.13 in 3x3x3 Cube and 9.38 in 2x2x2 Cube. Meanwhile, Krishal KC secured a 35.5 percent improvement in Pyraminx with a personal best of 6.51, and Roshan Sahani registered his first official attempts in Pyraminx at 6.92 and 3x3x3 One-Handed at 44.38.

The Pyraminx event delivered its own exciting two-round contest among 18 solvers, culminating in a victory for Bihan Thapa Magar with an 8.45 average and a 6.40 single. Bimal Mahara finished runner-up with an average of 9.21, followed closely by Sujal Acharya in third at 9.33. All 21 podium positions across all seven disciplines were claimed by competitors representing Nepal, reflecting the high caliber of performance throughout the gathering.

As the final timers were cleared from the tables, the success of KUbing Nepal 2023 highlighted the depth of local talent in Dhulikhel. With seven event titles decided through a balanced mix of single and multi-round brackets, the cubing competition demonstrated the sharp technical execution required across modern puzzle formats. The weekend set a strong foundation for the community as competitors prepare their routines for the next season of play.