A 15-year-old Filipino speed cuber delivered a historic performance at the Philippine National Speed Cubing Open 2026 in Tagaytay City after setting a new world record in the 3x3x3 one-handed event.

Crimson Arradaza, who had just turned 15, stunned the competition with a 5.33-second solve in the opening round of the event. The result broke the previous world record of 5.66 seconds set by Switzerland’s Dhruva Sai Meruva in October 2024 at the Swiss Nationals in Basel.

The competition was held at the Tagaytay City Combat Arena and organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee in partnership with the Asian Mind Sports Association. Arradaza, an incoming ninth grader from Balay Sofia Inc. in Baguio City, achieved the milestone on the same day he celebrated his birthday.

His record-breaking performance immediately secured him a spot in the eight-player final round later in the day. Officials described the result as one of the standout moments of the tournament’s opening phase.

Rising Philippine Mind Sports Talent

Arradaza’s achievement highlights the growing competitiveness of Filipino athletes in international mind sports events, particularly in speed cubing disciplines that demand precision and consistency.

The Philippine National Speed Cubing Open continues to gain recognition as a platform for emerging talent, bringing together top competitors from across different regions under internationally recognized standards.

His breakthrough performance now places him among the fastest one-handed speed cubers globally, marking a significant milestone in the development of the sport in the Philippines.