Oʻahu ʻOhana Cubing 2023

Seventy-eight competitors gathered to start the 2023 calendar on high note as the new competitive year opened in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Staged at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Ballroom 2 & 3 on January 28, 2023, the single-day gathering tested solvers across twelve rounds and six diverse disciplines. Early-season meets often set the competitive tone for the months ahead, and Oʻahu ʻOhana Cubing 2023 provided an immediate benchmark of speed and precision.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all 78 participants through three intense rounds of speedcubing. Matty Hiroto Inaba delivered a masterclass on the classic Rubik's Cube, claiming the title with a winning average of 6.23 seconds and posting the day's best single solve at 4.99. Inaba stood atop the podium ahead of Japan's Yoji Ogura, who secured second place with an average of 9.69, while France's Eddy Deturche locked up third place with a 10.95 mark to round out the 3x3 results.

Inaba extended his dominance throughout the faster formats at Oʻahu ʻOhana Cubing 2023, capturing gold in the 2x2x2 Cube. Out of 61 entrants across two rounds, Inaba assembled an electric 2.47 average and a 1.48 single. Taitum Tanouye of the United States earned the runner-up spot with an average of 2.82, while Deturche captured his second podium finish of the day by placing third at 3.32.

The 4x4x4 Cube contest brought 44 competitors into the fray for two rounds of big-cube action, and Inaba again set the standard. He captured the victory with a 27.25 winning average and a crisp 25.78 single solve. Deturche followed in second place with a 35.69 average, while American finalist Micah Platt secured third place with a time of 40.01 seconds, completing a commanding three-event sweep for Inaba.

Away from the top steps, several competitors marked significant milestones and breakthroughs on the competition floor. Logan Gibo tackled four events and delivered a 3x3x3 Cube personal best single of 10.47, slicing 63.3 percent off a previous best of 28.50, while also posting a 2.61 in the 2x2x2 Cube that was 57.1 percent faster. Max Duncan took on five events and made a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 1:29.35 along with a first Skewb solve of 9.21. Kingston Kema improved their Skewb single to 7.38, a 28.8 percent jump, and logged a 3.31 in 2x2x2 Cube, 48.8 percent faster. Evan Chase Lui achieved a 5.80 single in 2x2x2 Cube, an improvement of 50.3 percent over an earlier 11.66 mark.

The depth of progress across the roster continued through several other personal achievements. Darwin Williams took on four events, completing a first official attempt at Skewb in 12.68 and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 50.7 percent to 31.17. Matthew Nomi registered a 7.60 single in Pyraminx, cutting their prior best by 53.1 percent, and a 1:16.32 on the 4x4x4 Cube, which was 46.8 percent faster. First-timer Evan Faidit entered five events in their opening WCA competition, recording initial marks of 25.10 in 3x3x3 Cube and 3:01.90 on the 4x4x4 Cube. Kai Dugger also made their debut, taking on five disciplines and logging a first 4x4x4 Cube single of 2:03.62.

Specialty disciplines provided dynamic action across the afternoon schedule. In the Pyraminx event, Travis Dumaran navigated two rounds among 44 participants to win with a 4.79 average and a best single of 4.06. Deturche claimed second place with a 5.80 average, followed closely by Tanouye in third at 6.04. Deturche earned the top prize in Skewb, posting a winning average of 6.00 and a 5.29 single, finishing ahead of Evan Millsap at 7.51 and Tanouye at 7.53.

Mental discipline proved paramount in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded event, where solvers must rely purely on spatial memory. Seven entrants took on the single round, with Eddy Deturche capturing the title via a 49.50 single solve. David Akamine claimed the second-place spot with a time of 1:41.77, while Evan Millsap secured third at 2:56.83. The collective effort across the tournament brought the podium count to 11 for the United States, 6 for France, and 1 for Japan.

The successful conclusion of Oʻahu ʻOhana Cubing 2023 marked an energetic start to the regional speed cubing circuit. Across six events and dozens of rounds, the cubing competition showcased sharp technical solving, versatile multi-event performances, and dozens of personal breakthroughs, establishing high expectations for the unfolding season.