Vientiane Open 2025

The secondary campus of Panyathip British International School was filled with focused intensity across June 14 and 15. Stacking mats clicked and timers reset continuously as a field of 23 competitors took their stations in Vientiane, Laos. The atmosphere across the 15 scheduled rounds captured the essence of high-stakes speedcubing, drawing talent from across the region to test their preparation on the international stage. Across seven different puzzles, the weekend delivered a clinic in precision solving.

Thai competitors set the standard throughout the weekend, capturing 12 total podium places out of the 21 awarded across the schedule. The host nation stood strong behind them, claiming nine podium finishes in a competitive display. Leading the charge for Thailand was Trust Chaiaya, who orchestrated a masterclass across multiple disciplines. Chaiaya collected five individual victories, establishing absolute command over both big cubes and short-format events in an exceptional showing of technical range.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all 23 entrants into three rounds of fierce action. Chaiaya secured the top spot on the podium with a winning average of 10.20 seconds, anchored by the weekend best single of 8.57 seconds. Compatriot Natchanon Yimkaew took second place with an average of 11.58 seconds, sealing a one-two finish for Thailand. Phasouk Sypaseuth of Laos earned third place with a solid 12.38 average, rounding out the official 3x3 results at the front of the pack.

Chaiaya expanded his title haul by winning the 2x2x2 Cube with a 3.98 average, beating out Yimkaew at 4.91 and Anuvong Hayhinmixay of Laos at 5.06. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Chaiaya delivered a decisive winning average of 14.64, well ahead of Hayhinmixay at 22.25 and Yimkaew at 24.17. The 4x4x4 Cube saw Chaiaya triumph again with a mark of 44.80, outpacing Hayhinmixay who posted 56.37. Chaiaya concluded his gold rush in Pyraminx, taking first place with an 8.51 average over Hayhinmixay and Romina Phoutharaksa Douangmala.

Natchanon Yimkaew secured the remaining two titles to complete a clean sweep of championships for Thailand. In Skewb, Yimkaew took the gold with an average of 7.57 seconds, followed by Hayhinmixay at 9.83 and Konesack Manorom at 20.59. Yimkaew then captured the Clock title in a tightly contested final, recording a 13.20 average to edge out Konesack Manorom at 13.62, while Chaiaya claimed third in 17.47. The dual victories capped a phenomenal showing by the Thai contingent at this Vientiane Open 2025.

Beyond the championship battles, the tournament floor featured remarkable individual milestones that defined the heart of the competition. Similan Leksarist delivered an outstanding breakthrough in Skewb, cutting down a previous personal best by 41.8 percent with a new mark of 7.50 seconds on the way to a fourth-place finish, alongside a 25.9 percent drop in Pyraminx to 21.55. Thotsaphone Viengviseth tackled seven events and improved a 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 41.4 percent down to 3.04 seconds, while making a first attempt at Clock in 45.03 and Skewb in 23.92. Yuichiro Kizu dropped their 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best by 24.3 percent to 37.05 and lowered their 4x4x4 Cube mark by 18.2 percent to 1:25.95. Kiengsack Manorom shaved 14.9 percent off their 3x3x3 Cube personal best down to 16.93 while logging a first Clock attempt of 57.00.

Fresh faces made an immediate impact during their debut appearances on the WCA competition stage. Sane Sisouphanthavong took on their first official tournament, recording a 15.73 single in the 3x3x3 Cube to finish ninth overall alongside a first one-handed attempt of 1:06.24. Visitthilath Keocharath made a debut with a 15.20 single on the standard Rubik's Cube and a 6.06 on the 2x2x2 Cube. Fellow newcomer Sombath Sengpathoummang registered an opening 14.60 on the 3x3x3 Cube for an eighth-place finish, while Phounsabpanya Phongpaseuth logged a fast 4.00 single on the 2x2x2 Cube in a first official outing.

National results tables in Laos saw significant updates, particularly in the 2x2x2 Cube where official marks were reset across the rounds by competitors including Hayhinmixay, Konesack Manorom, and Phoutharaksa Douangmala. The high standard of speed cubing maintained throughout the weekend underscored the rising technical level in Southeast Asia. As another successful chapter in Vientiane concluded, the energy and growth displayed at Vientiane Open 2025 set a commanding tone for the region in 2025.