Showdown of speed stars at Magic Cube event

MIRI: The Sarawak Magic Cube competition, a highly anticipated event celebrating the educational toy known as the ‘Magic Cube’, was successfully held at Bintang Megamall on Sunday.

The competition attracted 61 participants from across Sarawak, including Kuching, Engkilili, Kanowit, Sibu, Bintulu, Suai, and Miri, all eager to showcase their cube-solving skills.

In a thrilling display of speed and precision, Miri’s own Hadif Hary Hasfia emerged as the standout competitor, clinching first place in both the 3×3 and 2×2 Cube categories.

Hadif completed the 3×3 Cube in just 10.217 seconds and the 2×2 Cube in a remarkable 3.391 seconds, earning him two units of the RM 399 GAN 14_Maglev_Magnetic Cube as his prize.

Miri’s Marissa Jane Tawie also performed exceptionally well, securing second place in the 3×3 category with a time of 11.082 seconds and the 2×2 category with a time of 3.778 seconds.

She was awarded two units of the RM 259 GAN13_Maglev_Magnetic Cube.

Rounding out the top three was Chong Jun Xiang from Engkilili, who completed the 3×3 Cube in 11.336 seconds and the 2×2 Cube in 4.251 seconds. Chong received two units of the RM 199 Hua Meng YS3M Maglev & Magnetic Cube as his prize.

The STEM Cube Sarawak Competition 2024 was jointly organized by the Miri Thai Poo Community Association Youth Section, Miri Chiang Hsia Huang Clan Association Youth Section, Miri Youth Activity Center, Miri Rainbow Chorus Society Youth Section, Bintang Megamall, and KID’S STATION STEM CUBE Kuala Lumpur.

During the closing ceremony, Kelvin Chia Kah Leong, Organizing Chairman of the STEM Cube Sarawak Competition, expressed his gratitude to all participants and supporters.

He highlighted the origins of the competition, which was inspired by the sight of a young child quickly solving a Rubik’s Cube during a dinner in December 2022.

This led to the first competition in May 2023, which drew over 40 participants from the Miri Division.

Chia noted that this year’s competition had expanded to include participants from all over Sarawak, with the youngest competitor being just six years old.

He emphasized the importance of the competition in promoting the Rubik’s Cube as a tool for cognitive development, problem-solving, and community-building.

The event also featured a special blindfolded performance by Hill Pong, who travelled from Kuala Lumpur for his first visit to Sarawak and Miri.

Additionally, Chia thanked the young ambassadors Marissa Jane Tawie and Kieran Chia, as well as Eric Tan from Kuala Lumpur, who served as an advisor, co-organizer, and judge for the event.

In his closing remarks, Chia expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the organizing committee and wished everyone continued success and good health.