Rialto Cubing Summer 2023

Kyeongmin Choi set a blistering standard at Rialto Middle School, capturing the 2x2x2 Cube title with an exceptional winning average of 1.68 seconds and a best single solve of 1.28 seconds. The lightning-fast display set the tone for an action-packed day of competition in Rialto, California, USA on July 8, 2023. Choi followed that sprint with an equally dominant run in the classic Rubik's Cube, securing top honors in the 3x3x3 Cube with a winning average of 7.06 seconds and a best single mark of 5.88. Across both marquee fast events, Choi demonstrated supreme consistency to claim the weekend's most coveted titles.

A total of 140 competitors gathered for Rialto Cubing Summer 2023, which packed 11 rounds across 6 distinct events into a dense single-day schedule. The 3x3 results formed the centerpiece of the tournament, drawing 138 contenders through three separate rounds of play. Choi led the field across the final round of 3x3x3, holding off Brendyn Dunagan, who locked down second place with a 7.25 average, and Ethan Jan, who rounded out the podium with a 7.35 mark. The fierce battle atop the standings highlighted the depth of speedcubing talent assembled in Southern California for the 2023 season.

The 2x2x2 Cube contest drew 129 entrants over two intense rounds, producing narrow margins at the top of the standings. Choi's 1.68 average secured the gold, while Dunagan earned silver with a 2.12 average and Derek Hsieh took third with a 2.16 mark. The event generated multiple noteworthy individual times, as competitors pushed the limits of the compact puzzle. In a discipline where hundredths of a second separate the contenders, the final round proved to be one of the most exciting speed cubing showdowns of the entire meet.

Beyond the two shortest events, the cubing competition offered plenty of variety across different puzzle shapes and sizes. Dunagan had a stellar overall tournament, claiming victory in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 51.01 winning average and a single of 44.69 across a field of 59 solvers, while Jan finished second at 1:06.69 and Gavin Torreflores took third at 1:08.82. Dunagan added another gold in the Skewb, where 84 competitors battled over two rounds, winning with a 2.84 average. Elijah Brown took second in Skewb at 4.49, with Choi taking third at 5.08.

Choi picked up a third gold medal in the Megaminx, navigating the 12-sided puzzle to post a winning average of 33.78 and a single solve of 31.10 in a direct 48-competitor final. Dunagan picked up yet another podium spot with a 38.64 average for second, while Anthony Lauro took third with a 51.41 mark. In the Pyraminx, Brown soared to the top of the 103-competitor field across two rounds, locking up first place with a 2.37 average. Dunagan took second at 3.49, narrowly edging Choi, who completed the podium at 3.52.

Away from the top of the podiums, numerous competitors delivered breakthrough moments across their events. Rowan Panopio took on six different events at Rialto Cubing Summer 2023, cutting a massive 48.6 percent off their previous best in Skewb to register a 6.33, while also trimming 21 percent in the 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:32.01 personal best and placing 13th in their first ever Megaminx attempt at 1:31.70. Daniel Weeks had a standout day across four events, dropping their 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 46.4 percent down to 17.39 and their 2x2x2 Cube mark by 26.6 percent to 4.62, while also logging a first attempt at Skewb in 9.32. Noah Baig tackled five events, cutting 35.6 percent to achieve an 11.82 3x3x3 Cube personal best, lowering their 2x2x2 Cube time by 27.6 percent to 4.14, and taking 14th in Pyraminx with a first-time mark of 3.53. Justin Rhee entered six events, improving their 5x5x5 Cube best by 31.6 percent to 2:08.16, achieving a best finish of 22nd in Megaminx, and recording debut marks in Skewb with 11.59 and Pyraminx with 13.11.

First-time event attempts and personal records continued across the scorecards as solvers tested their versatility. Jack McGinty took on six events, slicing 17.5 percent off their Megaminx mark to record a 1:35.07 personal best on the way to 16th place, while trying both Skewb at 9.01 and the 5x5x5 Cube at 2:00.31 for the first time. Henry Nguyen entered five events, setting a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 3.88 with a 17.6 percent improvement, finishing 26th in the 5x5x5 Cube, and notching initial attempts in Pyraminx at 9.71 and Skewb at 10.49. Kenrick Khai Bui completed a full six-event schedule, taking 25th in Megaminx while logging first-ever attempts in Pyraminx at 7.31, Skewb at 7.53, and the 5x5x5 Cube at 1:51.48. Wade Trainer also embraced a broad program across six events, posting a best finish of 29th in Megaminx with a first attempt of 2:07.74, along with initial times of 9.73 in Skewb and 3:36.83 in the 5x5x5 Cube.

The official WCA competition concluded with the United States collecting 12 podium spots, Korea earning 5, and Taiwan securing 1. With intense speed-solving in the 2x2 and 3x3 divisions and personal bests achieved throughout the roster, Rialto Cubing Summer 2023 delivered a memorable showcase of skill and dedication for the community.