Please Be Quiet Colombo 2024

Tenuja Ashan delivered the defining performance of Please Be Quiet Colombo 2024 by securing a Sri Lankan national record single of 1:32.43 in 3x3x3 Blindfolded. In events governed by a strict mean-of-3 format, precision across every attempt is vital, and a single mistake can quickly eliminate a competitor from an average ranking. Ashan captured the blindfolded title with that rapid single solve at the Colombo Public Library, proving how delicate and unforgiving these specialised disciplines remain when solitary errors dictate the standings.

The single-day cubing competition, held on March 4, 2024, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, brought together 11 competitors tackling five distinct challenges across five rounds. With silence being paramount for memory and calculations, the venue provided the necessary environment for competitors tackling the classic Rubik's Cube without sight and in minimal turns. The demanding nature of the schedule highlighted how unforgiving mean-of-3 formats can be, where missing even one solution removes the possibility of an official average.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded contest illustrated that thin margin between success and elimination throughout the eight-person field. Ashan took top honours on the podium thanks to the 1:32.43 national record, while Nadeesh Peiris secured second place with a single of 3:18.87. India's Swaminathan Chandrasekaran claimed third place with a best single of 3:26.26 and an average of 4:11.03. Behind them, competitors including Sakindu Disas Ekanayaka, Chahel Chiranjeev Yapa Bandara Udawela, and Duneth Nisala Praveen Ranaweera recorded single times but could not log complete averages.

In 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, Swaminathan Chandrasekaran claimed victory at Please Be Quiet Colombo 2024 by assembling a consistent 42.00 winning average alongside a best single of 33 moves. Pinindu Liyanage took the second spot on the podium with a 43.67 average. Sakindu Disas Ekanayaka took third place with a sharp single solve of 32 moves, the lowest single count of the event. Eleven competitors took part in the round, analysing sequences turn by turn under the standard time restrictions.

Beyond the podium battles, the gathering marked significant milestones for newcomers stepping onto the competitive stage for the first time. Sasen Abeynayake made their first appearance at an official WCA competition, entering 3x3x3 Fewest Moves and finishing eighth. Thisaja Minuraka Hewage also completed their first WCA competition at this meet, taking on the same event to claim an eighth-place finish. Kabishan Sathees rounded out the group of debuting solvers, taking on one event and securing eighth place in Fewest Moves.

The multi-cube discipline brought further memory trials as eight participants attempted 3x3x3 Multi-Blind. Nadeesh Peiris earned the victory by successfully solving 2 out of 3 cubes in a time of 24:22. Swaminathan Chandrasekaran followed closely in second place with an identical 2 out of 3 result, finishing in 24:48. The remaining six entrants did not complete a successful attempt, once again highlighting how a single misplaced orientation or forgotten turn can change an entire result sheet in an instant.

Big cube blindfolded events proved just as punishing for the roster at Please Be Quiet Colombo 2024. In the 4x4x4 Blindfolded event, Tenuja Ashan emerged as the sole competitor to log a successful solve, taking first place with a single of 14:40.00 across five entrants. The 5x5x5 Blindfolded event saw four competitors start the round, where Kalindu Sachintha Wijesundara, Sakindu Disas Ekanayaka, Nadeesh Peiris, and Tenuja Ashan were unable to record a successful time, concluding the bracket with no completed solves.

Across all five disciplines, the final podium count saw Sri Lanka claim 20 placements while India earned 3. The focused gathering at the Colombo Public Library demonstrated the unique pressures of blindfolded and efficiency events during the 2024 speedcubing calendar. With fresh 3x3 results entered into the official books, speed cubing competitors concluded an intense day of memory and movement, turning attention toward preparations for the next season of competitive play.