UCSD Maybe 2025

Inside the competition venue at UC San Diego, the persistent clatter of plastic mechanisms, the snap of timers, and the focused rhythm of inspection routines set the tone for a full day of speedcubing. Forty-six competitors gathered in San Diego, California, USA on May 11, 2025, taking their places across six fast-moving rounds. The schedule brought together varied disciplines, challenging entrants across four distinct categories that required vastly different technical solving styles.

While the standard 3x3x3 puzzle naturally attracted the largest field, the day was defined early on by the specialized and alternative events that tested niche problem-solving talents. The triangular geometry of the Pyraminx and the isolated motor mechanics of the 3x3x3 One-Handed event took centre stage, demanding intense dexterity and unique turning habits from competitors who specialize away from standard two-handed solving.

In the Pyraminx competition, 26 solvers faced a single high-pressure round to decide the podium. Roy Chandler captured first place with an impressive winning average of 3.43 seconds, powered by an event-best single solve of 1.86. Franklin Pham claimed the second step on the podium with a 4.09 average, while Elijah Gabriel Ret secured third place with a solid 4.76 average, capping a showcase of rapid edge and corner orientation.

The 3x3x3 One-Handed contest proved just as fierce among its 32 entrants, requiring solvers to manage cube rotations and complex lookahead using only one hand. Zhouheng Sun delivered a masterclass in ergonomics and efficiency, taking victory with an average of 10.22 seconds and throwing down the fastest single time of the event at 7.74. Dylan Govic finished in second position with a 13.00 average, followed by Taylor Saldana in third with 18.06.

Over at the 4x4x4 Cube tables, 33 participants tackled the increased complexity of edge pairing and center construction across two rounds. Emily Nguyen emerged on top of the final standings, earning the win with an average of 31.31 seconds alongside the day's best single solve of 26.80. Zhouheng Sun completed a multi-podium day by taking second place with a 33.03 average, while Jun Roley-Arzaga joined the top three with an average of 37.12.

Beyond the podium finishes, the cubing competition saw remarkable personal milestones from dedicated solvers across the roster. Andrea Nguyen took on all four events and slashed significant time off previous standards, dropping their 4x4x4 Cube mark by 45.5 percent to 53.56 seconds and improving their 3x3x3 One-Handed best by 26 percent to 16.95, while also taking a ninth-place finish in their first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a 5.36. Diego Emiliano Alarcon Gil took on four events, logging a first ever attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube of 1:34.70 and shaving 41.9 percent off their Pyraminx best to hit 7.36. Joseph Wu tackled four events and recorded a 3.81 Pyraminx solve, improving by 35.4 percent alongside an 8.48 on the 3x3x3 Cube. Robert Kim entered four events, cutting their One-Handed personal best by 31.2 percent down to 1:02.86 and making a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 with 2:40.01.

The energy across the tables continued as several other entrants achieved major breakthroughs during UCSD Maybe 2025. Calvin David Augusta Szotko competed in four events and logged three event debuts, registering a first ever attempt at Pyraminx with 10.18 to place 17th, a first One-Handed attempt of 39.65, and a 4x4x4 debut of 1:31.50. Albert Nguyen entered three events, achieving a Pyraminx personal best of 8.64 that was 24.8 percent faster than before, as well as a first ever attempt at 4x4x4 of 2:59.95. Jaden Park attended their first WCA competition, entering three categories and notching a debut Pyraminx solve of 10.39, a 2:02.58 on 4x4x4, and a 27.60 on the 3x3x3 Cube. Tanner Magill also made their official debut, tackling three events with a 9.65 Pyraminx debut, a 31.58 standard 3x3 mark, and a 1:30.59 single in One-Handed.

The main Rubik's Cube category concluded the weekend with 46 entrants pushing through two rounds of competition. When the 3x3 results were finalized, Ryan Woytowitz stood atop the standings with a winning average of 9.20 seconds and a best single solve of 7.69. Eli Krongold took the runner-up spot with an average of 9.43, while Derrick Hung secured third with 9.48 in a closely contested final.

Across every bracket, the gathering highlighted the breadth and technical skill present throughout the southern California speed cubing community. With ten podium positions earned by United States competitors and two by competitors representing China, UCSD Maybe 2025 delivered a memorable single-day showcase of precision, speed, and versatility across both traditional and specialty puzzles.