Ahmed Deepto writes how 18-year-old Sakib Ibn Rashid Rhivu turned his obsession at solving the Rubik’s cube into a passion that has in course of three years made him a national champion at it
SOURAV LASKAR
A Rubik’s cube has tantalizing memories for many and yet it turns into an obsession where they would not get up until they have found the last cube to match the colours. For Sakib Ibn Rashid Rhivu, solving the 3D puzzle has been more than an obsession – a passion.
Eighteen-year-old national Rubik’s champion Rhivu suffered from a fatal brain injury on December 4, 2015 when a speeding bus hit the rickshaw he was travelling on in the capital.
It took Rhivu an hour to come back to his sense and recognise his nearest family members but he did not slip on his obsession. ‘He couldn’t recognise the cube at once but nonetheless he solved the cube within around 25 to 30 seconds amid the bandages and bloods,’ says friend Rayed Hasan Trideeb, stunned by Rhivu’s hand reflexes.
Because of the accident, Rhivu would miss the Brain Studio Winter Rubik’s Cube competition where he was invited to attend in Bengaluru India. He is currently advised bed rest as he prepares for the upcoming World Rubik’s Cube Competition in 2017.
Rhivu is Bangladesh’s fastest cuber who has solved the cube at 6.55 seconds, which is two seconds behind the current world record holder. Even, Erno Rubik who invented Rubik’s cube in 1974 usually took about a minute while the current world record holder, Lucas Etter from United States in November 2015 takes 4.90 seconds to solve the puzzle.
Despite being the fastest solver in the country, Rhivu’s orientation to the cube came rather late. The second year student of Saint Joseph Higher Secondary School first saw the cube in December 2012. His orientation to the cube came amid humiliation, criticism and sarcasm for his level of analytical thinking. He thought he would never be able to solve the cube.
‘After our final examination at the 9th grade, a friend during a hangout brought a cube. Seeing the colourful cube, I was attracted to take a look at it but my friend didn’t give it to me,’ recalls Rhivu.
‘Three months later on February 22, 2013, I went to a science fair where one of my classmates participated at a competition of Rubik’s cube. I asked him to teach me how a cube is solved but he didn’t give me chance to even touch the cube saying that it is difficult to learn. My heart broke at his mockery and from that day I was determined to learn Rubik’s cube.’
Sifat and Kabbo, two other friends of Rhivu who were the 2nd and 3rd runner up at that cube competition taught him the process. ‘Coincidently, on the same night, Shetab, another friend gave me a cube to practice,’ he tells New Age Youth and that was the beginning of his pursuit at solving the puzzle.
‘My mother used to yell at me for spending hours on the Rubik’s and staying up late night without studying. My mother threw away many of my Rubik’s through the window because of my obsession with it but today she is proud of me and gives me money to buy cubes of international standards. Friends who mocked at me, now inspire me to participate in world championship,’ laughs Rhivu.
At his early days with the cube, Rhivu started to learn the tricks from YouTube, getting tips from online international groups and also from regular practicing with Rasheed Abid, former National Record Holder (24 sec). With over four to five hours of regular practice every day, Rhivu became the first ever cuber who broke his own consecutive records five times in last two years.
He also became the first Bangladeshi cuber to enter the single digit seconds at solving a Rubik’s cube in only 6.55 seconds on August 18, 2015 at Willes Little Flower Inter School and College Science Festival 2015.
Within these three years Rhivu championed 24 inter-school and inter-college Rubik’s cube competitions. He has also championed the National Rubik’s Cube 2015 (12.93 seconds) and he was the 2nd runner up of National Rubik’s Cube 2014 (18.39 seconds).
With amazing skills in solving Cubes, this young man also has in his bag some fascinating extracurricular activities including six championships at recitation and project display at science fairs and two championships in debate competitions. He also teaches the techniques of solving cube to those who have the passion.
They say practice makes a person perfect. A standing example of the statement is Rhivu who can now solve the 11 types of cubes even blindfolded.
‘I use the Fridrich method because it is user friendly. Within these three years I have taught over 700 people of different ages about how to solve the cube and it is fascinating. My 6th grader sister, Sakina Binte Rashid Kunja can also solve the cube within 50 seconds,’ says Rhivu.
‘A cuber should follow three things: continued practice, setting targets and using methods. An irony of solving a cube is that it is never consistent. The same cube you solved in six seconds can take 10 seconds to solve the next moment. I still try to maintain my consistency,’ says Rhivu.
‘A lot of cubers become nervous by going fast and pause, which kills time. I observe, pause and match a puzzle simultaneously so that I have no time wasted,’ he explains.
The puzzle game has changed Rhivu’s life and impression among his friends. The young Josephite who says, his friends taunted him for being dull at mathematics, has no regrets because he has found his best skills somewhere else.
The cube ‘helps me to think and plan faster. It has gifted me a lot of friends and fans at home and abroad. Cubing is an art which combines the work of brain, eyes and hand. It is a kind of meditation,’ Rhivu concludes.