UCSD TritoNxN 2026

A total of 186 competitors gathered on April 4, 2026, bringing vibrant energy and shared camaraderie to San Diego, California, USA. Staged at UC San Diego, the action unfolded across 10 rounds of play in five core events. Between rounds, participants swapped advice, compared puzzle tensions, and analyzed reconstruction steps together. The bustling venue highlighted how a premier speedcubing competition thrives on the friendships formed in warm-up zones as much as on the official clock.

The tournament schedule offered a focused celebration of NxN puzzles, testing dexterity on everything from the compact 2x2x2 cube to the massive layers of the 7x7x7 cube. Across the tables, veteran competitors guided first-time participants through marshalling queues, turning each stage transition into a shared learning experience. This dedicated cubing competition created space for both elite showdowns and supportive sideline cheers, capturing the inclusive spirit that defines modern speed cubing.

Beyond the top steps of the podium, the deeper story of the day lived in individual milestones and breakthroughs. Linus Jo delivered a remarkable leap forward, recording a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 4.08 seconds, which was 72.2 percent faster than their previous best mark, alongside an improvement to 17.47 seconds in the 3x3x3 Cube. Eli Moon made immense strides by logging a 2x2x2 Cube single of 3.99 seconds, marking a 66.8 percent drop, and cutting their 3x3x3 time down to 30.71 seconds. Vijay Tadepalli completed their first ever official attempts in the 2x2x2 Cube at 4.08 seconds and the 4x4x4 Cube at 1:00.64, while slashing their 3x3x3 Cube mark by 60.6 percent to 11.06 seconds. Malachi Harrel took on three disciplines, logging a first ever attempt in the 4x4x4 Cube at 1:46.70 and shaving 51.3 percent off their 2x2x2 best with a 3.98 finish.

The progress continued across all experience levels as participants expanded into new categories. FuNing Sleipnes took on four events, securing a 2x2x2 Cube mark of 2.93 seconds to improve by 44.4 percent, while lowering their 5x5x5 Cube best to 1:52.78 and their 3x3x3 Cube time to 13.04 seconds. Arumin Sivakumar achieved personal bests in three separate events, including a 2.96 in the 2x2x2 Cube, a 1:06.97 in the 4x4x4 Cube, and a 2:02.97 in the 5x5x5 Cube. Warrick Aguilar stepped up for a first ever attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube with a 1:15.63, while dropping their 3x3x3 time to 16.16 seconds. Nathan Castaneda tackled four events during the meet, registering first-ever times of 3:25.40 on the 4x4x4 Cube and 5:33.19 on the 5x5x5 Cube to round out an impressive day of growth.

When attention turned to the main stage for the classic Rubik's Cube, the three-round event drew 184 entrants. The final 3x3 results saw Max Park capture first place for the USA, finishing with a winning average of 5.55 seconds and claiming the round's best single at 4.63 seconds. Yichen Sheng secured second place with an average of 7.11 seconds, while Mexico representative Ian Yazid Zavala took third place on the podium with a mark of 7.81 seconds.

The 2x2x2 Cube tournament provided lightning-fast drama through two competitive rounds featuring 131 participants. Alan Rivera Bañaga of Mexico seized the title with an average of 1.74 seconds, bolstered by the category single of 1.33 seconds. Yichen Sheng earned the runner-up position with a 2.13 average, while Joel Kim placed third with an average of 2.23 seconds to round out the podium.

The larger puzzles demanded serious stamina, beginning with the 4x4x4 Cube where 99 competitors took to the floor over two rounds. Max Park topped the field with a 20.40 winning average and a single of 17.37 seconds, followed by Shane Grogan in second at 31.11 seconds and Emily Nguyen in third at 31.29 seconds. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Park secured another victory among 74 contenders, posting an average of 38.92 seconds. Kate Grahame claimed second place with a 46.73 average, while Emily Nguyen earned third with a 55.34 average.

The weekend concluded with the demanding 7x7x7 Cube, which gathered 42 specialists for a single decisive round. Max Park captured his fourth gold of the competition with an average of 1:37.97 and a fastest single solve of 1:34.53. Kate Grahame placed second with a 1:58.67 average, and Emily Nguyen finished third in 2:32.58. Across all five events, USA competitors earned 13 podium spots and Mexico competitors secured two, bringing UCSD TritoNxN 2026 to a memorable and spirited close.

From early-morning check-ins to the final awards ceremony, UCSD TritoNxN 2026 demonstrated the strength of its community. Solvers celebrated personal milestones together, analyzed complex algorithms between rounds, and supported one another across every discipline. As another thrilling WCA competition concluded on the campus of UC San Diego, the participants departed with fresh personal bests, new friendships, and enduring memories of a fantastic day of puzzle solving.