Michigan Championship 2025

Three solves leave zero room for error, and across the grueling mean-of-3 events, the margin between triumph and heartbreak proved razor-thin. When competitors tackle big cubes and specialized formats, there is no dropped worst time to cushion a lockup or miscalculation. Every single turn counts directly toward the final average, making endurance and mental composure absolute necessities. Across 17 total disciplines and 32 rounds of action, 149 competitors gathered at the Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron, Michigan, USA for Michigan Championship 2025, which ran from August 15 to August 17, 2025.

The relentless nature of the mean format was on full display in the large cube categories. In the 6x6x6 Cube, Canada’s Omar Ellabban delivered three measured solves to secure first place with a winning average of 1:16.49, highlighted by a best single of 1:10.84 across two rounds of 58 competitors. He followed that performance with another commanding showing in the 7x7x7 Cube, capturing the title with an average of 2:04.41 and a top single of 2:00.24 against a 56-person field. Ellabban also added the 5x5x5 Cube crown to his tally, putting up a winning average of 44.01.

Fewest Moves brought its own high-pressure calculations under identical mean constraints, where every rotational efficiency mattered across three distinct attempts. Owen Widdis claimed victory in the event with a 24.67 average, bolstered by an exceptional single of 22 moves among 28 entrants. Emile Compion from South Africa took second place on the podium with a 26.67 average, while Xavier Ye locked up third place at 31.00. The discipline requires deep algorithmic insight and calm deliberation, proving once again how unforgiving strict average formats can be at a major cubing competition.

While the endurance tests unfolded, Brian Johnson orchestrated a remarkable multi-event campaign across the classic formats. In the premier 3x3x3 Cube, where 143 entrants battled through three intense rounds, Johnson claimed the title with a swift 6.03 winning average and a 5.87 single. Jack Pfeifer secured second place on the 3x3 results podium averaging 7.18, and Canada’s Nathan Chiem finished third with a 7.34 mark. Johnson also earned top honors in 2x2x2 Cube with a 1.40 average, 3x3x3 One-Handed at 10.95, Megaminx at 41.13, and Square-1 with a 7.21 average.

Jack Pfeifer took the 4x4x4 Cube victory with a strong 26.69 average ahead of Ellabban at 27.32 and Johnson at 29.25. In the side events, Micah David Theis won Pyraminx with a 1.94 average, Max Murphy secured Skewb with a 2.80 mark, and Reed W. Richardson topped Clock at 3.78. Meanwhile, blindfolded events demanded absolute memorization and execution. Caleb Lalik won 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a 38.74 average, while Gabriel Williams V swept 4x4x4 Blindfolded with a 2:00.12 single, 5x5x5 Blindfolded with a 4:44.78 single, and 3x3x3 Multi-Blind with 24 out of 29 solved cubes in an hour.

Beyond the championship trophies, this speedcubing weekend served as a launchpad for remarkable personal milestones. Samanyu Chandra delivered one of the most dramatic drops of the competition, shaving massive time in the 2x2x2 Cube with a new personal best of 2.64 seconds, an improvement of 62.3 percent over a previous 7.00 best, while also logging a first attempt at 6x6x6 Cube in 4:13.78. Nicholas Swendsen lowered his Clock personal best by 47 percent down to 18.90 seconds and took on his first official 7x7x7 Cube solve in 6:43.70. Alexander R. Hadley took on 13 events across the weekend, finishing 25th in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves alongside first attempts in Megaminx at 1:30.63, Square-1 at 1:14.89, and 4x4x4 Cube at 55.01. Owen Wallenwine also tackled 13 events, posting his first marks in Clock at 10.98, 7x7x7 Cube at 3:55.77, and 4x4x4 Cube at 55.21.

The expansive schedule gave many competitors the opportunity to step up to complex events for the very first time. Joshua Telgenhoff entered 11 events and completed initial career attempts in Pyraminx with an 8.82 single, Square-1 with 35.22, and 6x6x6 Cube in 4:54.93. Miguel Grzesiak took on 12 events, recording his first marks in 4x4x4 Cube at 1:09.28, Megaminx at 1:31.63, and 6x6x6 Cube at 3:47.12. Shiv Ramamurthy also completed 12 events, logging first attempts in Clock at 45.20, Square-1 at 48.45, and 7x7x7 Cube at 6:55.48. Ishmael Schimian expanded his competition resume across 11 disciplines, setting his first marks in Pyraminx at 7.09, 5x5x5 Cube at 1:57.05, and Square-1 at 48.09.

Podium finishes represented three different nations over three days of speed cubing, with the United States collecting 43 top-three finishes, Canada earning 9, and South Africa taking 1. From the unforgiving demands of the big cube averages to the lightning pace of the standard Rubik's Cube, every event tested the technical limits of solving under pressure. Michigan Championship 2025 concluded as an exceptional WCA competition, setting a high standard of precision as the community looks forward to the next season of tournament play.