Mashujaa Mega Open 2024

Twenty-four competitors gathered in Nairobi, Kenya on October 19, 2024, bringing together speedcubing talent from across continents under one roof at Kalaniketan Shishukunj. Solvers made long journeys to compete, with international representation stretching from Austria and India to the United States alongside a strong Kenyan contingent. The single-day tournament brought twelve high-stakes rounds across seven distinct disciplines, creating an electric atmosphere as travelling solvers tested their mettle against local favourites in an intense day of Rubik's Cube action.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all 24 attendees into a three-round battle to determine the fastest hands of the day. Local star Derick Bundi delivered an emphatic performance to secure victory on home soil, posting a winning average of 12.62 seconds in the final round alongside a blistering single of 11.83 seconds. Austrian traveller Samuel Zeillinger pushed the pace to take the runner-up spot with a 14.96 average, while Kenya's Meshack Musundi rounded out the podium in third place with an average of 18.95.

Samuel Zeillinger made his trip to East Africa count across multiple disciplines, claiming two individual event victories during the meet. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Zeillinger topped a field of seven solvers with a winning average of 55.43 seconds, recording a best single of 45.96 along the way to defeat Meshack Musundi, who took second with 58.50, and Eman Kabiru in third at 1:25.44. The Austrian standout also mastered the single-handed style, winning the 3x3x3 One-Handed title with an average of 37.50 seconds and a best single of 31.70, finishing ahead of Sammy Kelvin Mugo and Kelvin Githiari Waturi.

Kenya's Kelvin Githiari Waturi emerged as one of the most prolific medallists of the weekend, securing two titles across different categories. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Waturi captured first place with an average of 7.07 seconds and a best single of 4.97, edging out Eman Kabiru at 7.13 and Imani Ritho at 7.15 in a razor-thin final. Waturi returned to the top step in Skewb, where he dominated a field of five competitors with a 13.97 winning average, leaving Rayan Parmar in second with 26.58 and Prince Emmanuel in third with 27.22.

The rotational challenges continued with Square-1 and Pyraminx, producing sharp technical performances. Rayan Parmar topped the Square-1 standings, claiming the gold with an average of 1:07.22 and a best single of 54.18, leading Kelvin Githiari Waturi and Eman Kabiru on the podium. Meanwhile, the Pyraminx competition went right down to the wire among 13 competitors, with Imani Ritho claiming gold in 10.87 seconds over Kyle Punguh Misigo at 11.02 and American competitor Miles Handler at 11.47, highlighting the competitive international flavor of the event.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, several solvers produced massive personal breakthroughs that defined the spirit of the weekend. Dayyan Kassiri slashed their personal bests dramatically, cutting their 2x2x2 Cube mark by 67.6 percent down to 8.97 seconds and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube time by 65.6 percent to 22.05, while also recording a first ever attempt at Pyraminx of 10.12 to place seventh. Divisha Parmar showed remarkable growth by cutting 59.4 percent off their 2x2x2 Cube time to hit 28.72 and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube best by 43.6 percent to 1:17.57. Aryan Pattni improved their Pyraminx best by 43.8 percent to 7.61 seconds and set a 2x2x2 Cube mark of 5.86, while Imani Nguma took on four separate disciplines in their first WCA competition, logging a best single of 8.12 on the 2x2x2 Cube and finishing ninth in Pyraminx with a 13.74 opening attempt.

The tournament welcomed several new faces making their official debuts on the competition stage. Shivam Behal entered three events in their first WCA competition, logging an impressive 14.97 single on the 3x3x3 Cube alongside attempts in 2x2x2 Cube and Pyraminx. Travelling from afar, India's Anusmith Siju tackled two events in their debut, recording an opening 3x3x3 Cube single of 43.82 and a Pyraminx single of 13.65, while Austria's Markus Thaler logged an opening 3x3x3 Cube mark of 36.73. Debutant Trevor Saudi made an immediate splash on the big stage, earning a fifth-place overall finish in the main 3x3x3 Cube event behind an opening attempt of 18.33 seconds.

With 17 podium places claimed by Kenyan solvers, three by Austria, and one by the United States, Mashujaa Mega Open 2024 closed as a vibrant celebration of international speed cubing in the heart of Nairobi. The diverse range of events gave both seasoned podium contenders and dedicated newcomers a chance to test their limits, leaving the regional cubing competition circuit with new benchmarks and standout 3x3 results to remember as the season rolls forward.