SacCubing XXII 2026

Paul Mahvi delivered a commanding sweep across three major categories to define the standard of excellence on January 18, 2026. Taking the top spot in the premier 3x3x3 Cube alongside decisive victories in both the 4x4x4 Cube and 5x5x5 Cube, Mahvi stood at the center of the action in Sacramento, California, USA. His performance across the roster of puzzles anchored an intense single-day meeting where 128 registered competitors gathered to test their speed, preparation, and composure across 10 rounds of competition under championship stakes.

The La Sierra Community Center hosted SacCubing XXII 2026, offering five official events for both seasoned veterans and rising talents. In the classic Rubik's Cube main event, 125 competitors entered the qualification heats, setting up a demanding three-round progression. Mahvi claimed the top prize with a tournament-winning average of 7.62 seconds, bolstered by a 6.63 best single. Zane Qureshi applied relentless pressure in the finals to secure second place with a 7.72 average, while Ayush Anand earned third on the podium with a 7.91 mark in the official 3x3 results.

The larger puzzles showcased Mahvi at his sharpest, where consistency across multi-layered hardware decided the top ranks. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Mahvi took first place with a winning average of 29.08 seconds after setting the fastest single of the category at 23.37. Gurshan Singh secured the runner-up position with an average of 30.55, narrowly holding off Dan Pastushkov who posted a 31.18 average for third. Mahvi followed that triumph by winning the 5x5x5 Cube with an average of 53.02 and a best single of 50.55, leading Dan Pastushkov in second at 59.30 and Brandon Lugtu in third at 1:00.77.

The shorter formats brought rapid drama of their own, where fractions of a second separated the podium contenders. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Ian Cantius Fredric earned the title with a tournament-best average of 1.58 seconds, complemented by a brisk 1.20 single. Sebastian Stone took second place with a 1.76 average, while Ezra Severson secured third at 1.81. The Pyraminx bracket saw Hrishikesh Kakati capture first place with an impressive 2.93 average and a 1.65 single, outlasting Matt Mao and Benjamin Schaham who finished second and third after both logging matching averages of 3.74.

Away from the top of the podium, the tournament served as an important proving ground for dedicated solvers making notable leaps on the official stage. Nathan Balsama made his first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a mark of 13.38, while knocking 61.9 percent off his previous 2x2x2 personal record down to 3.99 and improving his 3x3x3 best to 24.27, a 20.5 percent drop. Daniel Baker registered a 47 percent improvement on the 2x2x2 Cube to hit a personal best of 4.55 alongside a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube of 2:29.73. Jackson Eastom logged his first official 2x2x2 Cube attempt at 12.57 while cutting 31.1 percent off his 3x3x3 mark to finish with a 30.58 personal record. Conner Mason entered four events, posting a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 Cube of 1:32.61, a 30.1 percent improvement in 2x2x2 to 6.34, and a 20.3 percent improvement in 3x3x3 down to 20.45.

The depth of progress across the roster continued through several other multi-event campaigns during the weekend. Lucas Sun tackled four events, setting an official baseline of 8.08 in his first ever attempt at Pyraminx and 1:04.86 in his first 4x4x4 attempt, all while trimming 27.6 percent from his 3x3x3 personal best to reach 15.34. Maya Sabharwal took on three disciplines, recording her first attempts in 3x3x3 at 25.93 and 2x2x2 at 4.92, while lowering her Pyraminx personal record by 27.5 percent to 6.61. Buddy Johnson took on five separate events, recording his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube of 3:33.21, a 28.5 percent drop on his 4x4x4 record to 1:31.68, and a 7.15 Pyraminx mark. Calvin J. Batt also tackled five events, recording his first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube of 3:52.62, lowering his 3x3x3 record by 23.7 percent to 19.70, and dropping his Pyraminx record by 12.8 percent to 9.40.

The high volume of rounds throughout the competition fostered an environment ripe for rapid development across all experience levels. Solvers engaged in traditional speed cubing fundamentals while adjusting to the pressure of strict WCA competition timing equipment. United States competitors captured 12 podium spots across the five contested events, with India securing two podium places through victories in 2x2x2 and Pyraminx, and China claiming one podium position in Pyraminx. Every bracket pushed participants to refine their execution against an active clock.

As the final timers stopped, SacCubing XXII 2026 concluded having delivered a full spectrum of competitive achievements. From triple-title performances to personal milestones recorded across every division, the gathering highlighted the continuing vitality of the Northern California speedcubing circuit. Solvers departed the tables with updated personal records and crucial stage experience as they look ahead to the next stops on the competitive calendar.