MoCo Cubing Winter 2024

A blistering 1.14 single and a 1.51 final average from Zayn Khanani set the benchmark for dexterity in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. The fast-paced one-day meeting on January 20, 2024 brought together 111 competitors for six intense rounds across four disciplines. Staged at the Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene, the tournament showcased top-tier fingertricks, rapid turn speeds, and calculated puzzle handling from start to finish.

The 3x3 results formed the centerpiece of the program, drawing 109 entrants across two competitive stages. Zayn Khanani claimed the title on the classic Rubik's Cube with an 8.29 winning average and a round-best 6.93 single. Will Callan kept the pressure high throughout the final, securing second place with an 8.67 mark, while Hassan Khanani rounded out the podium at 8.75.

The 2x2x2 Cube event mirrored that exact podium order at electric speed across two packed rounds. Zayn Khanani took top honors with his 1.51 average, holding off Will Callan who posted a 1.67 average for second place. Hassan Khanani captured bronze with a 1.91 average, completing a clean sweep of the top spots by the same trio across both cube sizes.

Beyond the traditional cubes, alternative formats demanded specialized technique and razor-sharp reaction times. In Clock, Sula Mareska navigated 60 competitors over a single decisive round to take first place with a 6.15 average and a 4.84 best single. Hassan Khanani followed closely in second place at 6.26, edging Livia Kleiner who finished third with a 6.28 average.

Square-1 action concluded with Hassan Khanani earning the gold medal courtesy of a 7.10 winning average and a single of 5.43. Benson Kim delivered an 8.69 average to take second place among 57 contenders, while Brayden Adams claimed third place with a 9.39 average. The result capped an exceptional all-around day for the Khanani family across three separate puzzle events.

Away from the top steps of the podium, MoCo Cubing Winter 2024 served as a breakthrough stage for competitors across the roster. David John Gomez slashed his Clock personal best down to 5.40, marking a massive 73.4 percent drop from his prior 20.33 mark. Udit Krishnasai took on four events, securing 16th place in the 3x3x3 Cube and lopping 49.5 percent off his 2x2x2 personal best with a 2.24 single, alongside a first career Clock attempt of 17.76.

The personal milestones continued throughout the venue as competitors tackled unfamiliar territory. Naksh Khatri dropped his 2x2x2 personal best by 48.5 percent to 2.79, logged a 14.73 3x3x3 single, and recorded a 27.57 first Clock attempt. Oliver Bilinski dropped his 3x3x3 mark by 43.8 percent to 10.83, posted a 5.38 initial 2x2x2 attempt, and placed 24th in Clock with an 11.38 debut. Raj Bhagat trimmed his 3x3x3 time by 40.5 percent down to 13.62, while Max Hieu-Khôi Vu posted a 4.63 personal best on 2x2x2 and completed a 1:03.42 Square-1 debut.

Other competitors expanded their repertoires across the official schedule during the speed cubing festival. Ayush Garg took on all four events, submitting first career attempts of 10.49 on 2x2x2, 21.11 on Clock, and 1:38.88 on Square-1. Khoi Tran also competed in four events, delivering a 57.01 Square-1 personal best alongside debut attempts in 2x2x2 at 7.35 and Clock at 32.16.

With all twelve podium placements awarded to United States competitors, the WCA competition proved to be a vibrant showcase of regional depth. From tactical solve planning to explosive execution, the speedcubing community delivered high drama across every table. As the 2024 season moves forward, the standout marks logged at this cubing competition provide plenty of momentum for the months ahead.