PBQ Ropaži 2026

Inside Kafe and Bistro Vēja Ligzda, the rhythmic click of turning layers cut through the calm of Ropaži, Latvia. Tables were arranged precisely for a weekend of intense focus across January 17 and January 18, 2026. While the venue provided a welcoming backdrop, the atmosphere at the tables carried the unmistakable charge of a major Rubik's Cube meeting. Competitors gathered to test their skills across specialized disciplines, from massive multi-layer cubes to intricate memory tests.

A total of 16 competitors arrived to take part in PBQ Ropaži 2026, creating an intimate field where new faces and rising solvers shared stations alongside seasoned veterans. The cubing competition presented a challenging lineup of nine distinct events spread over 13 rounds, drawing talent eager to make an impression. With several participants taking on fresh disciplines and logging their first official marks, the tournament highlighted the continuous expansion of the regional speed cubing scene.

Israel's Ben Baron established complete dominance in the blindfolded events and big cubes alike, putting together one of the most prolific multi-event runs of the weekend. Baron secured victory in the 3x3x3 Fewest Moves contest with a winning average of 24.00 moves and a best single attempt of 22. He carried that precision directly into the 6x6x6 Cube, clinching top honors with an average of 1:36.82 after posting an impressive single of 1:31.43.

Baron's mastery extended smoothly to blindfolded disciplines, which require intense memorisation before executing without visual cues. He topped the 3x3x3 Blindfolded podium with an 18.19 average and recorded a 16.67 single, setting a national record average of 18.05 during the competition rounds. Mikus Lembergs of Latvia also stood out by securing a national record average of 54.97 in the same discipline. Baron subsequently captured first place in 4x4x4 Blindfolded with a 2:23.96 single, the 5x5x5 Blindfolded with 6:37.49, and completed 27 out of 33 cubes in 59:54 to win the 3x3x3 Multi-Blind.

Ukraine's Ihor Sukhovatenko set the standard in the traditional big cube categories, putting on a clinic of efficiency and turning speed. Sukhovatenko captured the 5x5x5 Cube title with a 52.88 average, edging Baron who finished with an identical average of 52.88 based on single times, with Sukhovatenko posting the round's best mark of 48.73. Sukhovatenko also claimed first place on the 7x7x7 Cube with an average of 2:12.80, outpacing Baron's 2:26.64 average and Vincenzo Maria Gammino of Italy, who finished third with 2:58.34.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors delivered memorable breakthrough performances that reshaped their personal best lists. Gints Mazurs entered four events and tackled his first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, locking in a clean result of 59. Mazurs also produced a massive improvement in Clock, setting a personal best average of 11.75 seconds to finish 24.1 percent faster than his previous mark of 15.49, alongside a new 5x5x5 Cube personal best of 2:23.53.

Amitai Ziv embraced a heavy schedule of eight events, highlighted by a fifth-place finish in the 6x6x6 Cube where a personal best average of 1:57.03 cut 3.9 percent off his previous 2:01.84 benchmark, accompanied by a 3:11.50 personal best on the 7x7x7 Cube. Toms Edvards Vucens took on seven disciplines, securing fourth place in Clock and dropping 5.8 percent from his 7x7x7 Cube standard with a new personal best of 5:19.43, while adding a 1:41.91 best in the 5x5x5 Cube. Vladislavs Baranovs competed across five categories, achieving fourth place in the 5x5x5 Cube and shaving 8.6 percent off his 3x3x3 Fewest Moves personal best to reach 32 moves.

The quick-handed Clock event provided home turf joy for the Latvian contingent. Mihails Teļkijevs captured first place with an average of 5.56 seconds, supported by the event's fastest single solve at 3.87 seconds. Fellow countryman Emanuels Stupelis followed closely to secure second place with a 5.96 average, while Lithuania's Vilius Ribinskas rounded out the top three with 6.46. Fans checking general 3x3 results across the broader speedcubing landscape found plenty of technical skill displayed in Ropaži.

By the conclusion of PBQ Ropaži 2026, the podium spread reflected a truly international gathering, with Israeli competitors taking 11 podium places, Lithuania securing seven, Latvia earning six, Italy claiming four, and Ukraine taking three. The successful completion of this WCA competition underscored both the technical depth of European solvers and the vibrant development of new talent heading into the upcoming season.