Patrick Ponce is back in the world record books.
During the first round of 3x3 One-Handed at Mid-Atlantic Speedcubing Championship 2026 in Dover, Delaware, Ponce recorded a 5.62-second single on his third solve, breaking the world record.
The previous record was 5.66, set by Dhruva Sai Meruva at Swiss Nationals 2024.
For Ponce, the result was also a massive personal best. His previous official OH single was 6.72, set during the first round of the WCA European Championship 2026. The 5.62 dropped 1.10 seconds from that mark.
His full average was:
10.79, 13.99, (5.62), 8.46, (16.35)
That gave him an 11.08 average, placing him fourth in the round.
Watch the World Record Single:
Ponce Returns to the OH Record Books
This is Ponce’s first OH world record single, but not his first world record in the event.
He set the OH average world record at 8.70 in 2022, improved it to 8.65 later that year, and matched that time again at CubingUSA Nationals 2023. His history in the event goes back even further, including a 7.51 North American Record single in 2019.
The 5.62 puts Ponce back on top of an event he has remained competitive in for years.
No Table Abuse
The solve was also notable for how Ponce did it.
“Table abuse,” where solvers use the table to support or stabilize the cube while turning, has become increasingly common at the highest levels of OH. The technique is legal under WCA regulations.
Ponce did not use it.
He kept the cube in his hand throughout the 5.62, showing that the more traditional off-table style is still capable of world-record speed.
Nine Years Between Single World Records
The 5.62 also comes nearly nine years after Ponce set the 3x3 world record single at 4.69 in September 2017.
Since then, hardware, techniques and the level of competition have changed dramatically, but Ponce has remained among the sport’s elite.
Just days after going undefeated to win PSL Michigan, he is back in the world record books.
Awesome! I was just talking to him before he got that. Sweet!