Tashkent Open 2024

Seventy-two competitors converged on the MK Academy as the Tashkent Open 2024 got underway across February 24 and February 25, setting a busy stage for high-level speedcubing in the region. The two-day schedule delivered seventeen rounds across eleven events, challenging solvers on everything from compact twisty puzzles to large layers. The opening rounds laid the groundwork for an eventful weekend in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where competitors pushed their limits against the clock and established a new competitive benchmark for the 2024 calendar.

The 2x2x2 Cube preliminary round became the centerpiece of the tournament record book, witnessing an unprecedented wave of official benchmark singles and averages. Ekaterina Kaneva posted a 2.35 single and a 3.22 average, while Kazakhstan's Daniyal Suleimen logged a 2.90 single alongside a 3.87 average. Damir Issakov added a 2.92 single and 3.90 average, and Damir Zhanataev registered a 3.32 single and 3.98 average. Uzbekistan's contingent answered in force with Sohiba Abdumalikova recording a 2.96 single and 4.06 average, while Fayozbek Erkinov delivered a rapid 1.61 single and 4.09 average.

That record-setting momentum in the event continued through several more pairings. Muhammadyusuf Abdumalikov scored a 3.16 single and a 4.13 average, followed by Hasan Qodirjonov with a 3.37 single and 4.47 average. Philipp Radinskiy turned in a 3.77 single and 4.62 average, while Kamronbek Bolikulov rounded out the listed marks with a 4.37 single and a 4.66 average. These performances showcased the rising precision across Central Asian speed cubing, setting a formidable standard for the rest of the competition.

When the dust settled in the classic Rubik's Cube category, Ekaterina Kaneva captured top honors after navigating three rigorous rounds. Kaneva secured the title with an 8.80 winning average and a best single of 7.34, holding off Umidjon Zafarov, who claimed the runner-up spot with an 8.87 average. Shokhrukh Tolipov locked up third place with a 9.05 average. The 3x3 results demonstrated remarkable consistency at the top of the table in a field featuring all 72 entrants.

Beyond the flagship event, multiple puzzle specialists earned top spots on the podium across the weekend. Muhammadyusuf Abdumalikov won the 2x2x2 Cube final with a 2.75 average, edging Damir Issakov at 2.90 and Kaneva at 3.62. Kamronbek Bolikulov took the Pyraminx crown with a 3.24 average, finishing ahead of Umidjon Zafarov at 3.60 and Nazir Xodiyev at 3.68. Damir Zhanataev enjoyed a double victory by winning the 4x4x4 Cube with a 34.03 average and the 3x3x3 One-Handed event with a 13.49 average.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several solvers delivered career-defining breakthroughs across their respective events. Fayozbek Erkinov took on ten events, cutting his Clock personal best by 62.1 percent to 12.35 and dropping his Pyraminx best by 46.5 percent to 2.37, while also logging a first attempt at 6x6x6 Cube in 4:24.39. Philipp Radinskiy improved his 3x3x3 Blindfolded mark by 67.5 percent to 2:20.16, reduced his Megaminx time by 41.8 percent to 1:19.69, and placed fifth overall in the blindfolded discipline. Bogdan Kashin improved his Pyraminx personal best by 59.3 percent to 3.10, and Hasan Qodirjonov slashed his 3x3x3 personal best by 57.5 percent to 14.17 while recording a first attempt at Megaminx in 4:15.47.

Other competitors took on brand-new disciplines and major event lineups with equal determination. Ilhomjon Qo'rg'onboyev cut his Pyraminx best by 57.8 percent to 6.31 and his 4x4x4 Cube mark by 33.7 percent to 1:03.61. Alexey Koritskiy took on nine events, logging his first official attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 2:07.09 and earning a best finish of 12th in Megaminx. Mark Burlutskiy entered ten events, finishing 11th in blindfolded solving and posting his first attempt at Megaminx in 2:23.71, while Komronbek Yusufov registered his first attempt at 4x4x4 Cube in 2:11.40 and finished 29th in one-handed solving.

The larger puzzles and specialized disciplines produced exceptional battles down to the wire. Bekzodjon Yusupov claimed victory in Clock with a 7.25 average and swept the 3x3x3 Blindfolded category with a winning single of 45.72. Umidjon Zafarov secured a pair of titles, finishing first in 5x5x5 Cube with a 1:10.80 average and taking Megaminx with a 44.20 mark. Abdurauf Boymuminov prevailed in 6x6x6 Cube with a 2:02.04 average, and Kaneva added a Skewb title to her tally with a 2.65 average.

By the conclusion of the Tashkent Open 2024, host nation Uzbekistan led the medal table with twenty podium places, Kazakhstan collected eight, and Russia secured five. The well-organized cubing competition highlighted both veteran execution and new milestones across every event category. As the WCA competition calendar advances, the memorable standards set in Tashkent provide a strong foundation for the upcoming regional season.