Neo Cuares has proven once again that the Philippines is the home of One-Handed Rubik’s World Champions after dominating the finals of the event with an astounding 8.66 seconds average to clinch the world title in the biennial WCA World Championship held at the Seattle Convention Center in Washington, USA.
The Cebuano bet duplicated the feat of Ateneo’s Sean Patrick Villanueva, who emerged as the world champion in the same discipline during the 2023 staging.
“I’m really just super glad that I was able to defend my country for the title, as that was all I was thinking about due to many of the actual stars of the Philippines not being able to go,” said Cuares of what motivated his world title run in Seattle.
“I still wish Sean (Villanueva) and Crimson (Arradaza) would’ve gotten good results, but of course I will take this win despite the lack of a defending champion,” he added
Prior to the world championship, Cuares ranked third in the Philippine rankings behind Villanueva and Arradaza.
Coming in second behind Cuares is local bet and former One-Handed World Record Holder Max Park, who finished with a 9.06-second average.
The University of San Carlos – North Campus Grade 12 graduate Cuares saved his best performance for last as he finished fifth and sixth in the first two rounds, respectively, to earn his place in the finals.
He bested a total of 1128 participants in the said speedcubing discipline.
