Los Angeles Newcomers 2024

A total of 244 competitors packed into the UCLA Ackerman Union on March 30, 2024, creating an electric atmosphere for a pivotal day of puzzle solving. Set in Los Angeles, California, USA, Los Angeles Newcomers 2024 proved to be an ideal entry point for dozens of fresh participants taking their first official turns under tournament conditions. Across eight rounds spanning four core disciplines, the sheer influx of new faces demonstrated the remarkable ongoing expansion of speedcubing throughout Southern California.

For those discovering the tournament floor for the first time, this cubing competition served as both a learning experience and a showcase of extraordinary talent. The single-day schedule moved rapidly through standard speed cubing rounds, giving newcomers the chance to experience official regulation solving alongside elite international athletes. From early heats through the final rounds, the energy at Los Angeles Newcomers 2024 highlighted why the sport continues to attract driven solvers of all skill levels.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew a massive field of 237 competitors over three stages of competition. Max Park secured top honours with a dominant winning average of 5.66 seconds, highlighted by a blistering best single solve of 5.13 seconds. Brendyn Dunagan claimed the runner-up spot with an average of 6.50 seconds, while Kyeongmin Choi completed the podium in third place with a 7.35 average. For followers tracking official 3x3 results, the fast-paced final round delivered high-calibre execution across every scramble.

Max Park also captured first place in the 4x4x4 Cube, leading 115 solvers with a winning average of 19.94 seconds and a best single solve of 18.47 seconds. Brendyn Dunagan earned his second podium finish of the day by taking second place with an average of 28.06 seconds. Dan Tran rounded out the top three with a mark of 32.20 seconds, finishing an intense single-round contest that challenged competitors on complex parity cases and mechanical accuracy under tournament pressure.

In the 2x2x2 Cube event, Nancy Liu emerged victorious out of 178 participants across two rounds of rapid action. Liu delivered a winning average of 1.65 seconds, complemented by a sharp best single of 1.51 seconds. Kyeongmin Choi took the second spot with a 1.85 average, while Brendyn Dunagan collected another podium award in third at 2.15 seconds. The Pyraminx bracket featured 137 competitors, where Owen Yepeng Sun claimed first place with a 2.16 average and a best single of 1.55 seconds. Elijah Brown took second with 2.81, and Choi collected third with 3.43.

Beyond the championship trophies, the true heart of the weekend lay in the remarkable personal milestones achieved across the ranks. Saketh Rao achieved an enormous step forward, securing a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 2.69 seconds that was 52.4 percent faster than his prior mark of 5.65, alongside a 3x3x3 Cube best of 11.13 seconds, which was 47.2 percent faster than his previous 21.07. Thomas Roman cut his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 50.6 percent to 21.77 seconds from 44.08, while also posting a first ever attempt of 5.75 on 2x2x2 and 1:47.78 on 4x4x4. Isaac Delgado took on four events, setting a Pyraminx personal best of 4.77 seconds that improved upon his previous 8.11 by 41.2 percent, improving his 2x2x2 best to 3.42, and registering his first ever 4x4x4 attempt at 1:02.04 on his way to an 18th-place Pyraminx finish.

Many other competitors embraced new challenges on the official stage. Ishaan Hary tackled four events, lowering his 2x2x2 best by 41.8 percent to 5.17 seconds, chopping his 3x3x3 best down to 13.36 seconds, and completing his first ever 4x4x4 Cube attempt in 3:05.47. Aiden Ma contested three events and finished 11th in the 3x3x3 Cube with a personal best of 8.09 seconds, while recording his first official attempts in 2x2x2 Cube at 4.85 seconds and 4x4x4 Cube at 1:36.00. Joshua Alba entered four events to finish 28th in 4x4x4 Cube with a debut mark of 51.75 seconds, adding first-time attempts in Pyraminx at 10.52 and 2x2x2 Cube at 4.79. Jacob Goodman recorded first attempts in 2x2x2 Cube at 6.12 seconds, Pyraminx at 9.51 seconds, and 4x4x4 Cube at 1:33.96, while Trevor Birenbaum logged inaugural attempts across Pyraminx at 15.00, 2x2x2 Cube at 6.24, and 4x4x4 Cube at 1:46.56.

The overall medal standings reflected strong performances across delegations, with United States competitors earning eight podium places, Korea securing three, and China taking one. The variety of puzzles tested everything from quick turning in shorter formats to deep layer management in the larger cubes. Each solve added valuable stage experience for the massive contingent of competitors building their tournament foundations.

With full brackets, widespread improvements, and countless first-time solves, Los Angeles Newcomers 2024 served as an inspiring celebration of classic Rubik's Cube mastery and emerging talent. The successful day of competition at UCLA demonstrated the strength of the local community. As newcomers return to their practice routines, the experiences gained at this WCA competition offer a springboard for future growth across the speedcubing circuit.