Winter in Pavlodar 2026

Daniyal Suleimen produced a commanding all-around performance to capture six event titles on January 17, 2026, leading the field at Shakhmat Uyi in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. The contest featured a focused roster of five competitors tackling nine different events across nine single-round showdowns. Suleimen set the tone in the marquee 3x3x3 Cube event, posting a decisive winning average of 9.18 seconds to edge out experienced rival Nikita Kolpakov, who delivered a 9.34 average. The clash between these seasoned solvers highlighted a dense schedule of Rubik's Cube events in the northeastern Kazakh city.

The 3x3 results demonstrated sharp execution right from the outset. Suleimen sealed his top spot on the podium with a best single of 8.71 seconds during his 9.18 average run. Kolpakov followed closely in second place after logging a quick 7.56 single during his series of solves, while Alisher Soltan collected third place with a 12.01 average and a 10.90 single. Lev Golaev followed with a 16.59 average and a best single of 13.80, ahead of Igor Kaigalov who recorded an average of 24.40 and a single of 21.99 in the five-person field.

Beyond the traditional three-layered puzzle, Suleimen demonstrated his versatility by taking top honors in 4x4x4 Cube, Clock, Megaminx, Skewb, and Square-1. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Suleimen posted a 35.47 winning average alongside a best single of 34.29 seconds, finishing well clear of Kolpakov's 49.01 and Soltan's 53.39. His performance in Megaminx was equally convincing, where his 43.94 winning average and 38.65 single outpaced Soltan, who finished second in 1:35.31, and Kolpakov, who took third with a mark of 1:43.41.

Kolpakov proved formidable across several fast-paced formats, claiming three event wins to prevent a total sweep. In 2x2x2 Cube, Kolpakov topped the standings with a 3.84 winning average and a 3.27 single, holding off Soltan's 4.96 average and Golaev's 6.27. Kolpakov also captured first place in Pyraminx with a 6.29 average and a 4.86 single, navigating the four-competitor round cleanly to add another victory to his tally in the Kazakh cubing competition.

One-handed solving provided another high point for Kolpakov, who secured the 3x3x3 One-Handed title with a steady 15.17 winning average and a best single of 13.12. Suleimen claimed second place on the podium with a 16.52 average, while Soltan rounded out the top three by finishing with a 31.81 mark. Kolpakov's precision in turning the puzzle with a single hand gave him his third individual gold of the gathering, reflecting the high standard maintained across all disciplines.

The tournament schedule also gave veteran solvers an opportunity to test their skills across multiple disciplines under tournament conditions. Igor Kaigalov brought the experience of 22 career tournaments into the arena, taking on six separate events throughout the day and earning a best finish of fourth place in Clock. Meanwhile, Lev Golaev maintained a demanding schedule across five events, securing third-place podium finishes in 2x2x2 Cube, Clock, and Skewb with a series of consistent solves throughout the single-round formats.

The remaining puzzle categories produced tight finishes between the top competitors. In Square-1, Suleimen edged Kolpakov in a closely fought duel, posting a winning average of 24.40 against Kolpakov's 24.98, while Soltan secured bronze with a 32.03 average. Suleimen also clinched the Skewb title with a 5.43 average and a 3.86 single, finishing ahead of Kolpakov at 5.82 and Golaev at 13.33. In Clock, Suleimen recorded a 7.99 average to take first over Kolpakov's 8.55 and Golaev's 15.24.

The compact WCA competition in Pavlodar concluded with host-nation athletes earning all 27 available podium places across the nine contested disciplines. Winter in Pavlodar 2026 provided a comprehensive display of speedcubing efficiency, packing a full slate of events into a single intense day of speed cubing at Shakhmat Uyi. As the 2026 season gets underway, the dual dominance of Suleimen and Kolpakov establishes a strong standard for regional events in the months ahead.