Right on Rubik's CUE!

Starting his journey from just watching YouTube videos and watching the way fast cubers solve Rubik’s Cube is what motivated Aniketh Arya GK, an 18-year-old Rubik’s Cube genius from namma ooru who recently succeeded to the  Rubik’s Cube World Championship 2018 and has won himself the Re-scrambles in the mixed category. 

“It was like a habit that stuck so hard that it became difficult to shake off,” says Aniketh. His best timing was 47.010 seconds in the tournament held in Mumbai. Now, the young boy will be travelling to Boston to represent India in the World Championship this September. Further in an exclusive tête-a-tête with Aniketh, who is getting ready for the championship, he gives us details on how he has been training for the competition and how he balances his life as a student.

On his trip to Mumbai for the tournament, Aniketh says, “It was a wonderful experience. There were a lot of participants and the atmosphere looked tense, but fun. It was also my first trip to Mumbai and I made a few new friends as well. I was extremely happy and surprised! It was like a dream come true, I couldn’t believe that I had qualified for the Rubik’s Cube World Championship in Boston. This would be my first time out of India. I am sure it’s not going to be easy but I am confident of putting my best foot forward.”

This 18-year-old can not just solve a Rubik’s Cube in less than 50 seconds but also solve it blindfolded and also with his feet, and with just one hand. He can also memorise a different set of scrambles and solve them blindfolded. Now, isn’t that amazing?

He shares the secret to his methods, “I use a method called CFOP, which is used by most of the cubers around the world. There are a lot of interesting tutorials on YouTube for people to learn.”

Feliks Zemdegs, an Australian speed cuber who has broken a lot of world records is Aniketh’s inspiration and role model, and he aspires to be like him one day. But, to reach that position Aniketh has juggled in between school work and his training and championships, “I put my school work first, prioritising it is key. I believe one can give as much time as they want to their hobbies, once they are done with their studies. Also, I have a habit of maintaining a timetable and following it. It helps me in greatly,” he adds.

While, others may have various hobbies than the thing they specialise in, Aniketh says, “Cubing is one of my favourite hobbies and that is how I became good at it. I also enjoy playing and watching cricket!” The Rubik’s cube genius’ favourite subject is mathematics.