Pavlodar Open 2025

A demanding showcase of stamina and precision reached its peak at Batyr Mall when Damir Zhanataev wrapped up a sweeping run through the heavyweight events, punctuated by a decisive 3:54.89 winning average in the 7x7x7 Cube. The single-day test on May 3, 2025, brought intense focus to the larger mechanisms, where stamina and lookahead matter just as much as raw turning speed. Zhanataev set the tone early in the big-cube roster, conquering the deepest layers on the schedule to establish absolute control over the longest puzzles in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan.

The physical grind of the big cubes demands immense mental discipline, and the 2025 competition demonstrated just how unforgiving those extended solves can be. Zhanataev secured the 5x5x5 Cube title with an average of 1:04.98 and a round-best single of 53.55, finishing ahead of Damir Issakov at 1:16.44 and Nikita Kolpakov at 1:43.98. In the 6x6x6 Cube, Zhanataev pulled away from the field with a 2:20.61 average and a 2:11.95 single. Kolpakov claimed second place in 4:36.03, while Igor Kaigalov earned third in 4:58.14.

The 7x7x7 Cube served as the ultimate test of endurance, featuring the longest single solve of the weekend. Zhanataev delivered a 3:50.24 best effort on his way to his winning 3:54.89 mark, besting Kaigalov who finished runner-up with a 6:37.71 average. Across 5x5x5, 6x6x6, and 7x7x7, the sheer volume of turns separated the field, turning the upper tier of the schedule into a showcase of relentless pacing and mechanical control.

Beyond the heavy hardware, classic Rubik's Cube action headlined the middle of the schedule. In the 3x3x3 Cube, eight competitors battled through two rounds of speedcubing. Zhanataev captured first place with an 8.07 average in the final round, helped by a 7.20 single. Issakov took second place with an 8.26 average, while Kolpakov claimed third with a 9.32 mark. The tight 3x3 results demonstrated steady handling under pressure, with Kazakhstan competitors sweeping the podium positions in the main event.

Pavlodar Open 2025 provided plenty of drama in the shorter events as well, where tiny fractions dictated the standings. The 2x2x2 Cube final saw Issakov reverse the order at the top, capturing the title with a 3.61 average and a 2.47 single over Zhanataev, who logged a 3.74 average, and Kolpakov in third at 3.98. Issakov added another victory in Square-1 with a 12.37 average, holding the best single of the event at 9.52. Kolpakov secured a gold of his own in Skewb, taking the victory with a 5.30 average and a 4.79 single.

The diverse schedule at this cubing competition extended across twelve events, creating opportunities for distinct specialists to shine. In Clock, Aidar Nadir emerged victorious with an average of 6.04 and a 5.01 single, besting Meirambek Akylbekov at 8.26 and Zhanataev at 9.12. Zhanataev returned to the top step in Pyraminx with a 5.00 average, in 4x4x4 Cube with a 34.78 mark, in 3x3x3 One-Handed with 13.38, and in Megaminx where he logged a 1:12.82 average alongside a 55.54 single solve.

Away from the top steps of the podium, the deeper narrative of the WCA competition belonged to individual milestones. Turar Kaiirzhan took part in their first WCA competition, entering two events and earning a personal best finish of fifth place in the 2x2x2 Cube, alongside a first ever attempt in the 3x3x3 Cube that yielded a 15.03 single. Matvey Bondarenko (Матвей Бондаренко) tackled four events at the gathering, securing a personal best finish of sixth place in 2x2x2 Cube and recording a Clock personal best of 16.30.

The action inside Batyr Mall showed the vibrant depth of the regional speed cubing scene across fourteen completed rounds. With eight competitors contesting twelve distinct events, the gathering maximized table time for every entrant. By the conclusion of Pavlodar Open 2025, competitors from Kazakhstan had collected 33 podium places alongside two earned by Russia, capping off a busy day of solving in Pavlodar.