Iñigo Palisoc sets new 7x7 national record at Rubik’s World Championship 2025

Filipino speedcuber Iñigo Miguel B. Palisoc has set a new national record in the 7x7 Rubik’s Cube event, clocking in an impressive time of 1:56.72 during the first round of the Rubik’s WCA World Championship 2025 in Seattle, Washington.

“I felt really euphoric,” said Palisoc, who had struggled with subpar results earlier in the competition. “Getting anything out of Worlds, being such a high-pressure situation, felt like a weight off my shoulders.”

During the record-setting solve, Palisoc said he was aware of his fast pace early on but kept his composure by focusing on each step of the process and blocking out any distracting thoughts.

“All that was on my mind was to just keep looking forward. Thinking ‘this is a good solve’ would’ve made me mess up. Compartmentalizing each step helped me stay focused.”

Leading up to the world championship, Palisoc trained intensively, spending over two hours a day practicing his solves. His mindset, however, was just as critical as the grind.

“At this point in my career where I have all the big cube national records, confidence is what allows me to perform at my best. You won’t be the best if you think you aren’t.”

The 19-year-old, who has been cubing for over seven years, offered advice for aspiring cubers:

“Learn big cubes. Be open to change. Most importantly, have fun with it and share the experience with others. Enjoy every NR I break—and those I’ll be breaking in the future.”

Palisoc’s record-breaking time not only reflects years of dedication and consistency but also shines a spotlight on the growing cubing community in the Philippines, inspiring a new generation to aim high and cube harder.