“My name is Pavan Kumar Akula, and my journey with the Rubik’s cube began in 2010. A friend suggested I try solving a Rubik’s cube, and I remember watching a YouTube video to understand the basics. Within less than an hour, I had solved it. Both my friend and I were surprised. This small victory sparked my curiosity, and I started researching how long it typically takes people to solve the cube. To my astonishment, I discovered that my speed placed me among the top solvers globally.
Determined to see how far I could go, I decided to participate in my first tournament in Mumbai. At that time, I was an engineering student, and coming from a modest background, it was only my second train journey ever. Despite the challenges, I practiced for hours each day after college, refining my skills. The competition in Mumbai was a turning point. I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses and became more determined to improve.
In 2013, my hard work paid off when I became World No. 1 in the 3×3 speedcubing competition, achieving a 100% success ratio in the blindfolded category. My contribution to the cubing community caught the attention of the World Cube Association, and I was appointed as a delegate. Everything happened so quickly that my parents couldn’t believe I was considering speedcubing as a career instead of a regular job. Given our family’s financial situation, they were initially skeptical. However, I knew deep down that only cubing could make me truly happy. After many discussions, they eventually supported my decision.
In August 2017, I started Deccan Cubing to teach others how to solve the Rubik’s cube. Our first promotional competition received an overwhelming response, reaffirming my belief that this was my true calling. Teaching kids and seeing their progress reminds me of what my teachers used to say—that I had the right attitude to achieve something great, even if I wasn’t the best in academics. It’s not always about grades; sometimes, it’s about talent and using it in the right way.
My younger brother Sai Kumar has been the main support in my cubing journey from day one. Together, we formed Mosaic Brothers. Through Mosaic brothers, we create Rubik’s cube mosaics of prominent figures and mythological characters using Rubik’s cubes based on specific occasions. We’ve showcased our work across various institutions and events, gaining widespread recognition.
In addition to my achievements in cubing, I am also the co-founder of TheCubestore, where we offer a wide variety of Rubik’s cubes and puzzles. Our aim is to serve as the best online store in India for cubing enthusiasts.
Today, I’m proud to say that I’ve attended over 105 international competitions organized by the World Cube Association, becoming the second Indian speedcuber to attend more than 100 competitions. I hold a Guinness World Record, Asian Book of Records, Indian Book of Records, and Limca Book of Records in speedcubing and mosaics and have won more than 120 medals in cubing competitions. My journey from a curious beginner to becoming a world-renowned speedcuber has been incredible. Through it all, I’ve learned that passion and dedication, coupled with the right attitude, can lead to extraordinary success.”