UCSD Weeknights VII 2025

Dominic Shoji delivered an absolute masterclass in reliable execution at UC San Diego, claiming the 2x2x2 Cube title with an exceptional winning average of 1.83 seconds. While the event saw a blistering single time of 1.14 seconds, Shoji proved that disciplined consistency over the five-solve average is what ultimately secures the victory on the tournament floor. His steady performance set the tone for an evening where measured precision mattered far more than any isolated stroke of fortune.

Held on May 5, 2025, in San Diego, California, USA, the gathering brought together 21 competitors for a focused three-event program spanning five total rounds. Speedcubing in an evening setting often tests endurance, yet the roster at UCSD Weeknights VII 2025 tackled the schedule with deliberate composure. Across every discipline, the final standings favoured competitors who minimized costly mistakes and kept their solve times remarkably tight.

Beyond the small cube, the tournament featured specialized challenges that rewarded mental stamina. Graham Siggins captured top honours in two distinct events, showcasing versatility and steady nerve. In Square-1, Siggins secured first place with a winning average of 15.79 seconds, holding off a competitive field of 14 entrants across two rounds. Joel Kim followed closely in second place with an 18.20 average, while Emily Nguyen earned third on the podium with an 18.94 average.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded contest added another layer of intrigue to the evening slate. Solving without sight demands both absolute memorisation and reliable blind execution. Siggins claimed victory once again, recording the winning single of 18.64 seconds among 13 competitors. Canada's Jimbo Cai followed in second place with a single of 21.14 seconds, and Jason Hammerman locked in third place with a 50.20 mark to round out the international podium spread.

Away from the top steps of the podium, several competitors logged significant personal breakthroughs. Andrea Nguyen took on two events and delivered a massive leap forward on the 2x2x2 Cube, logging a personal best of 3.05 seconds, an improvement of 51.7 percent from a prior mark of 6.31, while also finishing fifth in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a first ever attempt of 1:59.09. Sylvester Slavet-Burr tackled three events, posting a first ever attempt at Square-1 of 21.69 seconds and trimming his 2x2x2 Cube mark by 11.8 percent down to 5.29. Alex Lehman had a stellar outing across three events, earning fourth place in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a personal best of 1:33.08, shaving 24.2 percent off his previous benchmark. Muhtasim Al-Farabi achieved a personal best of 13.99 seconds in Square-1, improving his former standard by 28 percent.

Other notable milestones highlighted the depth of participation throughout the room. Manning Karahashi entered two events and finished fifth in Square-1, dropping his personal best to 14.74 seconds, which was 20.1 percent faster than his previous best of 18.44. Alex Carney tried both 3x3x3 Blindfolded and Square-1 for the first time, logging marks of 3:43.54 and 2:08.17 respectively while finishing seventh in the blind solve. Dhruv Sehgal contested three events, finishing ninth in 3x3x3 Blindfolded and recording a Square-1 personal best of 27.20 seconds, an improvement of 7.7 percent. Jason Chang stepped up to two events, locking in an eighth-place finish in 3x3x3 Blindfolded.

The 2x2x2 Cube event rounded out the night's podium ceremonies with competitive finals that kept the field engaged. Dylan Govic secured the runner-up position behind Shoji with a 3.30 average, and Shane Grogan took third place with a 3.36 average. Across all events, the United States accounted for eight podium finishes, with Canada picking up one.

Whether analyzing classic Rubik's Cube variations, tracking speed cubing milestones, or following specialized 3x3 results, this WCA competition demonstrated how dependable execution defines elite solving. Every cubing competition at UC San Diego reinforces the value of steady control, leaving the 2025 field with new benchmarks to chase when the next season arrives.