“My first experience with a Rubik’s cube was in 2010 when I was battling depression. A friend had suggested I try solving it. I remember watching a YouTube video and trying it out. It took me less than an hour’s time. My friend was surprised and so was I! I curiously checked how long people usually take and realised that people take up to a few months. When I looked up the ranking online, I figured that my speed would put me in the top 10. Honestly, it was only then that I learnt that cubing wasn’t just a pass time but also a professional sport with competitions across the country and the world. So I decided to take part in a tournament in Mumbai. Back then, I was studying in an engineering college. So I would come back from college and spend about three hours everyday practicing for the competition. Coming from a family that wasn’t well-to-do, it was only my second time in a train when I travelled to Mumbai. I never thought this could become a career option. But my performance in Mumbai taught me a lot. I understood my strengths and weaknesses and decided to work on them.
Soon, in 2012, I became World No. 1 in the ‘3 x 3’ speedcubing competition with 100% success rate, in the blindfolded category. That caught the attention of the World Cube Association (the governing body of Rubik’s Cube competitions) and they gave me the designation of a delegate. Everything happened within a span of few days. Considering our background, my parents were keen on me having a regular job for a couple of years. But I knew that wouldn’t make me happy. It was cubing. It had to be! Initially, I was worried, but I explained to them that only cubing could let me sleep happily every night. It took time but they understood and supported me. In 2016, I attempted and successfully broke the Guinness Book of World Record for solving the Rubik’s Cube hanging upside down, fastest. My performance in 17.48 seconds gave me a clear victory over the previous 30 second record.
In 2017, I started an association, Deccan Cubing, to teach solving the Rubik’s cube to others. I first started with a promotional competition and the response was great. Today, when I teach kids, I’m reminded of what my teachers told me. I was not great at academics, but they said I had the right attitude needed to succeed in life. It’s not always about grades. Sometimes, it is about finding our talents and using them the right way.”
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