SacCubing XVIII 2024

Varun Mohanraj delivered the standout performance of the weekend with a dominant 6.96 second winning average in the 3x3x3 Cube, capping a remarkable double-victory campaign. Held on September 14, 2024, at the La Sierra Community Center in Carmichael, California, USA, the gathering brought together 109 competitors across 6 events and 11 rounds. Beyond the gold trophies, the atmosphere across the venue was defined by a massive influx of fresh talent taking their initial strides in official speedcubing.

For dozens of participants stepping onto the tournament floor, this cubing competition served as an unforgettable introduction to the sport. The sheer number of competitors making their tournament debuts or testing themselves in unfamiliar puzzles gave the tournament a uniquely vibrant energy. From first-time entrants nervously adjusting their timers to veterans refining their execution, the Carmichael stage showcased the broad appeal of modern speed cubing.

In the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, 106 competitors battled across three full rounds of action to settle the final 3x3 results. Mohanraj set the pace with a best single solve of 5.71 seconds on his way to securing first place with a 6.96 average. Gurshan Singh earned the silver medal with a 7.64 average, while Micah Yeo claimed the bronze step on the podium by recording an 8.01 mark in the final round of the classic Rubik's Cube.

Mohanraj doubled his gold medal haul in the 4x4x4 Cube, pacing a field of 58 competitors across two rounds. His winning average of 27.29 seconds and best single of 26.20 kept him clear of the chasing pack. Dan Pastushkov secured second place with an average of 31.43, while Nico Harper (李有為) took third place with a 31.74 average.

The tournament floor saw massive progress from athletes expanding their competitive repertoires. Mathi Pragalathan Meenakshi tackled six different disciplines, securing 10th place in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, logging a first official attempt of 1:45.40 in Square-1, and posting a massive 4x4x4 Cube personal best of 2:07.11 that cut 53.1 percent off their previous mark. Kairyn Reed posted first-time marks of 12.98 in Pyraminx and 12.86 in 2x2x2 Cube while dropping their 3x3x3 Cube best by 29.8 percent to 22.60. Prajin Vikraman registered initial official marks of 4.06 in 2x2x2 Cube and 7.03 in Pyraminx alongside a 21.7 percent 3x3x3 Cube improvement to 19.98. Steven Sherin secured debut times of 5.17 in 2x2x2 Cube and 12.43 in Pyraminx while lowering their 3x3x3 Cube best to 26.72, a 19.4 percent reduction.

First-time WCA competition appearances also yielded immediate breakthroughs for several emerging solvers. Charles McElvany took on six events, placing 9th in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a debut 4:05.71, recording a first Square-1 attempt of 56.80, and dropping their 3x3x3 Cube best by 14.8 percent to 11.51. Mateo Ramirez posted debut efforts of 13.75 in Pyraminx and 31.92 in the 3x3x3 Cube while improving their 2x2x2 Cube mark by 18.2 percent to 10.81. David Muradyan registered a first 2x2x2 Cube time of 10.07 and carved 46.1 percent off their 3x3x3 Cube record with a 43.42 solve. Enrique Suarez-Ojedis added a debut 7.13 in the 2x2x2 Cube and shaved 38.9 percent from their previous best on the 3x3x3 Cube with a 22.08.

The 2x2x2 Cube final featured tight margins among 91 entrants over two rounds. Benjamin Schaham captured the championship with a 2.15 average and a 2.05 single solve, edging Mohanraj who finished runner-up at 2.25. Kenji Gipson-Nahman secured third place with an average of 2.51. In the Pyraminx, Aaron Paskow prevailed over 72 contenders across two rounds, averaging 2.61 to finish ahead of Pravith Velmurugan at 2.94 and Matt Mao at 3.70.

The specialized events rounded out the schedule with impressive technical displays. Nico Harper (李有為) triumphed in the Square-1 final among 32 competitors, winning with a 9.18 average ahead of Mao at 10.57 and Michael Larsen at 11.77. In the 3x3x3 Blindfolded discipline, which requires complete memorisation of the puzzle before turning without sight, Mao took first place among 21 contenders with a winning single time of 40.75 seconds, leading Cary Huang at 50.28 and Jason Ostdiek at 1:02.69.

Across the entire day, competitors representing the United States claimed 14 podium places, alongside 3 for China and 1 for India. With intense battles at the top and scores of debutants achieving their first tournament milestones, SacCubing XVIII 2024 proved to be a vibrant showcase of northern California cubing talent looking ahead to the next competitive cycle.