UMBC Winter 2026

A total of 127 competitors converged on the University Center in Catonsville, Maryland, USA on February 14, 2026, creating an energetic day of rapid progression across five classic events. The single-day gathering packed nine full rounds of competition into a demanding schedule, highlighting just how rapidly emerging solvers are elevating their standards. From opening heats to the final showdowns, the youth-driven energy in the room powered swift advances across every puzzle discipline.

At the center of the weekend action was Curtis Chai, who delivered a standout performance to capture the main title in 3x3x3 Cube. Across three intense rounds that tested the endurance of 125 entrants, Chai secured first place with a winning average of 7.54 seconds, complemented by the best single time of the event at 6.62 seconds. The 3x3 results confirmed his control over the field, as he held off determined challenges from Sanzhar Beisembayev, who took second with an 8.12 average, and Daniel Greigg, who earned third place with an 8.54 mark.

Curtis Chai did not stop at the primary event, doubling his gold medal haul by conquering the 5x5x5 Cube. In a single round featuring 59 participants, Chai solved with exceptional pacing to post a winning average of 48.84 seconds alongside a best single of 47.80 seconds. Fiona Bao claimed the runner-up position with a 54.97 average, while Sanzhar Beisembayev secured another podium appearance by taking third place in 57.27 seconds. Chai added even more silverware to his collection throughout the day, finishing as runner-up in both Pyraminx and 3x3x3 One-Handed, and taking third in Square-1.

Hassan Khanani proved equally dominant in the specialty disciplines, claiming top honors in two distinct categories. In Square-1, Khanani set the benchmark across two rounds by taking victory with an average of 6.02 seconds and a sharp 5.85 single, finishing well ahead of Anderson Hong at 12.79 and Curtis Chai at 13.35. Khanani then carried that form into 3x3x3 One-Handed, where he posted a winning average of 12.79 seconds and an event-best 9.13 single across 74 competitors, outperforming Chai at 13.02 and Will Venuti at 15.50.

The triangular Pyraminx event provided some of the fastest action of the entire meet, drawing 93 participants through two rounds. Leland Pak claimed the victory courtesy of a remarkable 2.37 average, punctuated by a best single solve of 1.88 seconds. Curtis Chai followed closely in second place with a 2.53 average, while Daniel Goodman locked in third place with a 2.85 mark. The event demonstrated the intense dexterity required at the highest level of speed cubing, where margins between podium steps are measured in tenths of a second.

Beyond the podium battles, UMBC Winter 2026 served as a massive platform for rapid developmental milestones across the leaderboard. Theodore Oh took on four events, dropping his 3x3x3 One-Handed mark to a personal best of 28.18 seconds, which was 64.6 percent faster than his prior record, while also improving his Square-1 best by 38.5 percent to 33.38 and his 3x3x3 Cube best by 27.1 percent to 11.97. Luke Hermosillo logged his first ever attempt at Pyraminx with a 9.41 single and saw an astounding 52.5 percent drop in his 3x3x3 Cube personal best down to 14.56 seconds. Yoav Rozin also posted a Pyraminx debut of 8.59 seconds and improved his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 46.5 percent to 23.11 seconds. Charles Rashid Collins made his first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 19.70 seconds and lowered his 3x3x3 Cube best by 38.9 percent to 59.96 seconds.

The surge of new event milestones continued as Lucas Weeks entered five events, recording his first ever attempt at Square-1 with 40.18 seconds, a 5x5x5 Cube debut of 3:12.41, and a 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best of 43.27 that was 37.9 percent faster than his previous best. August Fenston recorded a 10.32 Pyraminx debut alongside a 36.6 percent improvement in 3x3x3 Cube to 25.91 seconds. Hasan Ali completed five disciplines, logging his first Square-1 attempt at 53.58 seconds while trimming his 5x5x5 Cube best by 35.2 percent to 1:34.79 and his one-handed mark by 18.6 percent to 24.10. Amogh Konakanchi added a first ever attempt in 3x3x3 One-Handed at 37.37, a Pyraminx debut of 7.80, and a 23.6 percent improvement in 3x3x3 Cube to 14.59 seconds.

This official WCA competition highlighted the overall depth of the regional scene, with United States competitors sweeping all 15 available podium positions across the five formats. Whether mastering the classic Rubik's Cube, navigating the spatial shifts of Square-1, or tackling larger hardware, the assembly showed the immense drive of young speedcubing talent in 2026. The atmosphere inside the University Center reflected a community where each round offered an opportunity to reach new personal heights.

As the equipment was packed away, the standard of play left no doubt about the rapid evolution taking place within competitive cubing circles. The collective focus now turns forward toward upcoming stops on the calendar, with competitors already preparing to build upon their fresh marks. UMBC Winter 2026 proved to be an exceptional showcase of speed and determination, setting a high bar for the remainder of the competitive year.