Otsu Biwako Winter 2026

Sixty-seven competitors stepped up to the solving tables as the organizing crew, delegates, and dedicated staff delivered a smooth day of action at Otsu Biwako Winter 2026. Staged on February 1, 2026, at Asuto Hamaotsu in Otsu, Shiga, Japan, the tournament offered a compact yet intense slate of 3 events and 6 rounds. The operational team kept the staging running seamlessly from morning scrambles to evening podium presentations, ensuring every participant had the infrastructure needed to perform at their absolute peak in this high-tempo WCA competition.

The marquee event delivered some of the sharpest speedcubing of the day across 64 competitors and two rounds. In the classic Rubik's Cube division, Kantaro Sakamoto took top honors with a decisive 7.01 winning average and a 6.09 best single in the final. Sakamoto also logged a 5.29 single and a 6.59 average during the competition, leading a competitive field. Itthikorn Jittaveeroj of Thailand claimed the second podium spot with a 7.81 average, while Yoochan Hong of Korea took third with an 8.04 mark.

The headline 3x3 results showed deep quality throughout the bracket, highlighted by an international podium split. Yoochan Hong delivered a 6.00 single and a 6.93 average during the rounds, while Kotaro Yoshida of Cambodia achieved a 7.49 single and an 8.51 average. Thailand representative Itthikorn Jittaveeroj contributed a 7.56 single and an 8.58 average. Masaya Nakamoto, Haruki Tsutsui, Masayuki Hirai, Yuki Matsui, Takumi Kato, and Hajime Miyazaki all posted strong marks under the ten-second barrier during the 3x3x3 Cube contest.

Beyond the main event, the single-handed discipline showcased extraordinary dexterity over two rounds featuring 39 contenders. Yoochan Hong of Korea secured the 3x3x3 One-Handed title with a stunning 10.34 winning average and an 8.30 best single. Japan competitors rounded out the rest of the podium, with Takumi Kato claiming second place on an 11.21 average and Masaya Nakamoto earning third with an 11.86 average. The speed cubing precision displayed on the table highlighted the high standard of regional talent in single-hand solving.

The triangular Pyraminx puzzle added another layer of dynamic racing across its two rounds of action with 37 competitors. Hajime Miyazaki claimed victory with an exceptional 2.54 winning average, anchored by a blistering 1.58 single. Yoochan Hong collected another podium position by finishing second with a 3.11 average, while Itthikorn Jittaveeroj secured the third step on the podium with a 3.70 average. The fast-paced turns and rapid decision-making produced some of the tightest margins seen all day at Otsu Biwako Winter 2026.

Away from the championship hardware, several competitors produced remarkable individual breakthroughs across the day. Yoshika Ito entered 2 events and posted a massive personal best of 7.43 in Pyraminx, cutting their prior mark by 48.5 percent. Yuki Akazawa took on 3 events, recording a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with 23.47 and improving their 3x3x3 Cube personal best to 8.37, which was 11.2 percent faster than before. Tsukasa Oota tackled 3 events, logging a debut 3x3x3 One-Handed mark of 16.68 and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube best by 10.2 percent to 9.54. Yuto Yamada entered 2 events and carved out a 20.46 in 3x3x3 One-Handed, a 38.5 percent drop from their former best.

The depth of progress continued across new event debuts and sharp milestone times. Kenji Kawashima competed across 3 events and completed a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with a time of 34.10. Koshi Tani took on 2 events and established a first ever 3x3x3 One-Handed mark of 23.32. Emi Ito entered Pyraminx for a first ever tournament attempt in the category, recording a 16.33 solve. Yumeno Toyama contested 3x3x3 One-Handed, generating a debut attempt of 22.81 to cap an inspiring display of personal progress that standard scoreboards often mask.

Across the entire day, the podium distribution reflected a healthy regional competition, with host nation Japan securing 4 podium finishes, Korea taking 3, and Thailand earning 2. The seamless execution by the staging staff, scorekeepers, and volunteer judges allowed Otsu Biwako Winter 2026 to finish on a high note. As the equipment was packed away in Otsu, Shiga, Japan, the community celebrated both the podium champions and the dozens of personal triumphs made possible by the dedicated event organizers.

With 6 rounds completed across 3 distinct puzzles, Otsu Biwako Winter 2026 delivered an efficient and memorable cubing competition. The collaborative effort between staff, competitors, and event officials underscored the thriving spirit of the regional circuit as contenders prepare for the upcoming challenges of the 2026 season.

滋賀県大津市の明日都浜大津の会場には、色鮮やかな立体パズルを手にした競技者たちが集まりました。2026年2月1日に開催されたこのスピードキュービングの大会は、異なる形状や独自の解法を持つ種目が並び、フロア全体が競技への熱気に包まれていました。寒さを吹き飛ばすようなタイマーの作動音が響き渡る中、1日を通じて熱い戦いが繰り広げられました。

Otsu Biwako Winter 2026では、伝統的なルービックキューブである3x3x3をはじめ、片手のみで揃えるワンハンド、そしてピラミッド型のピラミンクスという3つの特色あるパズルが用意されました。67名の出場者が合計6ラウンドの勝負に挑み、それぞれの種目ならではの回転技術や戦略が披露されました。

花形種目である3x3x3 Cube部門は64名が参加する激戦となりました。この種目を制したのはKantaro Sakamoto (坂本貫太郎)で、決勝で7.01の平均タイムを記録して優勝を飾りました。ベスト単発は6.09でした。2位には平均7.81のItthikorn Jittaveeroj (อิทธิกร จิตทวีโรจน์)、3位には平均8.04のYoochan Hong (홍유찬)が入りました。

続いて行われた3x3x3 One-Handed部門では、39名が片手での操作技術を競い合いました。頂点に立ったのは韓国のYoochan Hong (홍유찬)で、ベスト単発8.30、平均10.34という素晴らしい記録を収めました。2位には平均11.21をマークしたTakumi Kato (加藤匠)、3位には平均11.86のMasaya Nakamoto (中本誠也)が続いています。

三角形の構造を持つPyraminx部門には37名が出場し、素早い判断と指先の動きで競い合いました。この種目ではHajime Miyazaki (宮崎朔)が見事な実力を発揮し、単発1.58、平均2.54の好タイムを記録して優勝しました。2位は平均3.11のYoochan Hong (홍유찬)、3位は平均3.70のItthikorn Jittaveeroj (อิทธิกร จิตทวีโรจน์)となりました。

大会の結果表の奥には、確かな成長を刻んだ選手たちの挑戦の記録があります。3x3x3 One-Handedに出場したKazumasa Tsutsui (筒井一雅)は自己ベストを18.6%短縮する30.02を記録し、3種目に挑戦しました。同じくKyoshiro Sakamoto (坂本恭志郞)も同種目で17.8%短縮となる21.18の自己記録を樹立しました。また3x3x3 Cubeに臨んだRyosuke Yufu (油布良祐)は、従来のタイムから15.4%更新する16.78を叩き出しました。Masamune Aoyagi (青柳正宗)はPyraminxへ初挑戦し、17.12をマークしています。

さらに今大会が初のWCA competitionとなった競技者たちも堂々たる足跡を残しました。Kei Shiojima (塩島圭)は3種目に挑み、3x3x3 Cubeで19.76、ワンハンドで1:00.64、ピラミンクスで13.55を記録しました。同じく初出場のShoki Hashimoto (橋本翔輝)も3種目で、ワンハンド31.98、ピラミンクス10.20、3x3x3 Cubeで13.47を収めました。Muku Mitera (三寺椋)はピラミンクスで3.50を出し7位に入ったほか、ワンハンド30.83、3x3x3 Cube12.27を記録しました。Masafumi Mitera (三寺真史)は2種目で、ピラミンクス9.07、3x3x3 Cube20.18をマークしました。

表彰台の内訳は日本勢が4つ、韓国が3つ、タイが2つを獲得し、国際色豊かな顔ぶれが揃うキューブ大会となりました。Otsu Biwako Winter 2026は、多様なパズルの魅力と選手それぞれの進歩が鮮やかに示された大会として幕を閉じました。Otsu, Shiga, Japanの地で培われた経験は、選手たちの次の舞台へとつながっていきます。