The Championship of Kyrgyzstan in Speedcubing was held in Bishkek.
More than 50 people of various ages expressed a desire to test their skills in solving the puzzle. All of them passed a qualification round, after which the speedcubers with the best results were allowed to participate in the subsequent stages of the competition.
Athletes competed for the title of champion of the republic in speedcubing in three disciplines: speed solving of 2x2, 3x3, and 4x4 Rubik's Cubes. In the category for solving the "classic" 3x3 cube, the contestants were divided into three age groups: under 10 years, from 10 to 18 years, and 19 years and older. By the way, the youngest participant was only 5 years old, while the oldest speedcuber was 50.
- This is already the third championship of national significance in speedcubing, - said News-Asia event organizer Yulia Pirogova. - As in the previous year, the competition brought together participants from different regions of the republic: from Osh, Talas, Kant, and the Issyk-Kul region. There were even applications from Almaty, but unfortunately, we had to decline because the "Mandarino Speed Cube Contest" is currently held only within the country. This championship is a vivid confirmation that modern youth is capable of thinking broadly and creatively, solving analytical problems. Here, in an atmosphere of adrenaline and sporting excitement, the best speedcubers of Kyrgyzstan achieve their highest results.
To level the playing field, all Rubik's Cubes were equally "scrambled" using special algorithms. The athletes had a few seconds to study the combination, after which they began to solve the cube. And although everything happening on the "arena" was broadcast in close-up on specially installed screens, it was not easy to keep track of the process. In the hands of experienced athletes, the colorful cubes spun at a breathtaking speed, transforming into a solved puzzle in just a few moments. The time taken to solve the cube was recorded using stopwatches on tablets. After comparing the results, the judges determined the best of the best.
In the 2x2 discipline, the absolute winner was Erkebai uulu Zhoorobek. The title of champion in the speed solving of the 4x4 Rubik's Cube was won by Rafis Saifulin. By the way, this is already his third victory: in the previous two speedcubing competitions, Rafis also took first place.
In the 3x3 discipline among the youngest participants, 5-year-old Aibiyke Kerimkulova took 3rd place, solving the cube in 1 minute 22.73 seconds. In second place was 9-year-old Andrey Tsoy. The best in this category was Iskhak Abdulkhatov, who solved the puzzle in 1 minute 1.28 seconds.
In the group aged 10 to 18 years, the bronze medalist was Aydar Zhanikeev. The silver went to Syimyk Kambarov. And on the top step of the podium with a result of 17.47 seconds was Emir Moydunov.
Among adults, 3rd place was taken by Sanzhar Kazybekov. 2nd place went to Rafis Saifulin. The champion was Ilimbek Jumakadyrov, who solved the "classic" Rubik's Cube in 14.73 seconds. He also holds the best time for solving the 3x3 cube at the 2015 championship – 12.99 seconds.
- I became interested in speedcubing a year and a half ago – since then I started training, - Ilimbek told News-Asia. – To date, my personal record is 8.47 seconds.
- How do you manage to achieve such speed?
- There are certain formulas for solving the cube, which are not complicated in principle if you learn to apply them.
- Did you expect to win this championship?
- No, I didn't expect it at all. This is my second time participating in speedcubing competitions. Last year I took third place. This time the opponents were strong, including the champion of the previous competitions. And yet I managed to win.
All prize winners of the competition received diplomas and valuable prizes from the "Mandarino" gift shop and other event partners, and the winners were additionally awarded with well-deserved champion trophies.
It is worth noting that last year more than 50 people from all over the republic participated in the championship. The youngest contestant was 8 years old, and the oldest was over 60. The minimum time for solving the 3x3 Rubik's Cube at the 2014 championship was 11.26 seconds.
