Feliks Zemdegs is Crowned Rubik’s Cube Champion
More than 575 competitors from 37 countries made the trip to Las Vegas this weekend in an attempt to solve their way to speedcubing history at the 2013 Rubik’s Cube World Championship.
Rubik’s Cube solvers competed in more than 15 classic and non-traditional official cubing events.
After three days of competition, Feliks Zemdegs of Australia bested his fellow competitors with the fastest average time for solving the classic 3×3 Rubik’s Cube in 8.18 seconds, completing his fastest single solve in 7.36 seconds.
[ Also Read: Making the World’s Largest Rubik’s Cube ]In addition to earning the coveted title of World Champion, Zemdegs was awarded $3,000 in prize money, a championship trophy, and a selection of Rubik’s Cube prizes. Zemdegs also took the top spot in the 4×4 Rubik’s Cube and the One Handed 3×3 Rubik’s Cube.
Mats Valk of the Netherlands, who currently holds the world record for the fastest single solve in 5.55 seconds, was a close 2nd place in the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube competition with an average time of 8.65 seconds.
[ Also Read: Intel and Toshiba to Release Social Film “The Power Inside” ]Sebastian Weyer of Germany finished 3rd with an average time of 8.86 seconds. The fastest competitor from the United States was Andy Smith, with an average time of 9.73 seconds.
Despite not placing within the top three in the main event of the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, the United States led the weekend’s overall medal count by earning 14 total medals, including 6 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze. Australia and Poland followed close behind the U.S. in the medal count.
The bi-annual World Rubik’s Cube Championship is comprised of 17 official events, with the culmination being the crowning of the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube champion.
