On 15 August 2026, CubeArena welcomed 18 young cubers to the CubeArena 3×3 Challenge 2026, a community competition designed to give participants an experience inspired by WCA competition procedures.
Although this was not an official WCA competition, CubeArena used a WCA-style format to help competitors become familiar with structured speedcubing—from inspection and scrambling to judging, scorecards and Average of 5 results.
A WCA-Style Competition Experience
Competitors were divided into two groups of nine, with three competition stations operating during the event.
The 3×3 competition followed an Average of 5 (Ao5) format. Competitors completed five solves using prepared scramble sets, with judges recording each result on individual scorecards.
The competition experience included:
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WCA-style 15-second inspection
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Average of 5 format
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Prepared and controlled scramble sets
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Judges at competition stations
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Individual scorecards
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Timing mats and competition timers
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Result entry after completed attempts
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Round 1 followed by a Final Round
The purpose was not to claim official WCA status, but to help Cambodian cubers learn the procedures they may encounter at future official competitions.
From 18 Competitors to the Final
All 18 competitors started in Round 1.
After the opening round, the highest-ranked competitors advanced to the Final Round, where they completed another Average of 5 to determine the final standings.
The final produced a close battle for the podium.
🏆 Final Round Leaderboard
| Rank | Competitor | Average |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Mengtry Nop | 10.198s |
| 🥈 2 | Ra Vyrakchhesda | 11.233s |
| 🥉 3 | Yiek Teang Heng | 11.697s |
| 4 | Sokkhen Rathanak | 11.824s |
| 5 | Neng Keopichkanika | 12.319s |
| 6 | Sokethya Panharoth | 13.027s |
| 7 | Vijay | 14.343s |
| 8 | Lee Beck Sam | 14.679s |
Congratulations to Our Champion 🥇
Mengtry Nop became the CubeArena 3×3 Challenge 2026 champion with a 10.198-second final average.
Ra Vyrakchhesda finished second with 11.233 seconds, while Yiek Teang Heng secured third place with 11.697 seconds.
The difference between third and fourth place was only 0.127 seconds, showing how competitive the final round became.
Learning Competition Procedures
Speedcubing in competition feels very different from practicing at home.
Competitors need to manage inspection time, wait for the judge's instructions, handle nerves, solve using an unknown official-style scramble and remain consistent across five attempts.
By introducing these procedures at CubeArena events, we want young cubers to develop both speed and competition readiness.
It also gives new judges, runners, scramblers and volunteers practical experience in how organized speedcubing events operate.
Reviewing and Improving Our Results
After the event, CubeArena reviewed the Round 1 leaderboard and identified an issue around the qualification cutoff.
The results were checked and corrected before the final leaderboard was published.
For CubeArena, improving competition organization is part of the process. Every event helps us strengthen our systems for scrambling, judging, score entry, finalist selection and event management.
More Than a Competition
The CubeArena 3×3 Challenge was also a place for cubers to meet, practice together and support one another.
Competitors, parents, volunteers and members of the community all helped create the atmosphere of the event.
We would also like to thank YAHU Coffee & Lounge for supporting the competition and providing the venue.
Our goal is to continue creating more opportunities where Cambodian cubers can:
Compete. Connect. Conquer.
The August 15 competition may be finished, but the journey toward a stronger and more experienced Cambodian speedcubing community continues.
See you at the next CubeArena competition!