Medina Mayhem 2026

Inside the sanctuary halls of Grove United Methodist Church, the familiar rhythm of turning plastic and dropping timers set a vibrant tempo for the day. Tables filled with puzzle mats, display screens, and rows of focused competitors transformed the venue into a buzzing arena of precise finger movements and steady concentration. Enthusiasts from across the region gathered in Medina, New York, USA on February 28, 2026, creating a spirited environment where experience and technical mastery were on full display throughout every round.

This edition of Medina Mayhem 2026 brought together 34 competitors tackling six distinct events across seven structured rounds of play. Longtime participants used their seasoned composure to navigate the schedule, demonstrating sharp execution as the single-day cubing competition progressed from preliminary heats into high-stakes final rounds. The program offered a balanced mix of traditional twisty puzzles and specialised formats, challenging each entrant across different layers of tactical problem solving.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube contest stood out as a showcase of poise under pressure among 30 contenders. Eashan Reddy Goli of India claimed the top spot on the podium by delivering a consistent 7.78 winning average alongside a tournament-best single solve of 7.38 across two competitive rounds. Evan Waters of the United States secured the runner-up position with an 8.66 average, while Louis Truong finished third with a mark of 9.11. The final 3x3 results highlighted how veteran control remains decisive when tenths of a second separate the leaders.

Beyond the classic Rubik's Cube, the larger puzzles demanded tremendous stamina and foresight. Shuxiu Jiang of China executed a commanding sweep across the big cubes, winning the 6x6x6 Cube with a 1:47.56 average and a top single of 1:44.99 among 18 competitors. Jiang repeated that golden performance in the 7x7x7 Cube, recording a winning average of 2:42.66 and a best single of 2:38.20. In both events, Louis Truong took second place with averages of 1:49.14 and 2:59.35, while Patrick Strawder earned two third-place finishes with times of 2:08.93 and 3:09.05.

Side events brought further opportunities for experienced competitors to shine across the tables. Evan Waters emerged as a double champion during the meet, winning Pyraminx with a 2.75 average ahead of Adelynn Neal at 3.80 and Caleb Gabel at 4.26, while also taking the Megaminx title with a 56.45 average over Canada's Marco Yang at 1:00.42 and Lauren Phung at 1:07.16. In Clock, Owen Lowicki delivered a blisteringly fast 3.70 winning average and a 3.16 single, leading Waters at 5.24 and Neal at 5.47 in a contest featuring 23 participants.

Away from the top of the podium, several solvers achieved massive individual breakthroughs across their scheduled heats. Dave Gabel delivered one of the steepest drops of the day by recording a Clock personal best of 16.89, which was 42 percent faster than his previous best of 29.10, in addition to making his first career Megaminx attempt at 4:20.71. Milo Kittleson showed major gains on the big cubes, cutting his 6x6x6 Cube best down to 3:09.92 for a 33.5 percent improvement from 4:45.53, while tackling his first ever 7x7x7 Cube solve in 5:25.12. Quincy Ackman made a first attempt at Pyraminx in 13.36 and improved his Clock mark by 28.5 percent to 13.65, while Jake Stevenson logged a 17.8 percent improvement in Clock with a 4.10 mark alongside his first Megaminx attempt at 1:26.94.

Other competitors expanded their repertoires and set meaningful benchmarks throughout the WCA competition. Xavier Head took on six separate events, recording his first official attempts in Pyraminx at 9.01, Megaminx at 2:35.27, and 7x7x7 Cube at 7:14.80. Alton Ruff also completed a busy six-event card, dropping his 3x3x3 Cube best by 13 percent to 13.12 and shaving time in the 6x6x6 Cube to 5:42.07. Remy Conley produced a personal best of 26.81 in the 3x3x3 Cube for an 8.7 percent improvement, while Shaher Naser posted a Megaminx personal best of 2:22.72, which was 8 percent faster than his prior standard.

The community spirit of speedcubing was equally clear among the newest faces who stepped up to the official tables for the first time. Aksaran Arunkumar made a memorable debut across two events, recording a 25.73 single in Pyraminx and a 44.22 in the 3x3x3 Cube. First-time entrants Tobin Jack Ayers, Jayden Salaam, and Kristopher Ayers also established their initial official marks, with Kristopher Ayers advancing to a 20th-place finish in the 3x3x3 Cube behind a 28.15 single.

As the final timers were packed away, Medina Mayhem 2026 concluded as a well-rounded demonstration of dedication, speed cubing technique, and sportsmanship. Solvers from the United States collected 14 podium places, joined on the award stand by competitors representing China, India, and Canada. With seasoned contenders reaffirming their form and emerging participants reaching fresh milestones, the gathering provided an encouraging marker for the ongoing competitive season.