Hi, In first, let me report Japanese Championship was big and great event. We had about 80 participants from 7 yrs to 72 yrs. There were 12 TV cameras and more than 50 presses. We set categories for senior, junior and women. We praised the fastest cuber of each category. If we could have same definitions of those categories, we can share the records and make lists. I would suggest: For senior, I would suggest 45 and higher. For junior, 12 and younger. Any opinions? Masayuki

Can you just set certain categories for each competition? Junior for the United States, in my opinion, would mean under 18 years old. In scholastic chess tournaments, they have different brackets such as K-3 which would be kindergarten to 3rd grade and only competitors in those years of school are allowed to compete. You could announce the best "Under 3rd Grade" competitor or "Under 12 years old," but I'm not sure that we actually need to set numbers. We haven't really considered age categories at Caltech competitions yet for a couple reasons. First, Macky was going to win the competition anyway, and he started with us when he was 13. It would have been pretty silly to have a seperate more elite competition, that he would *still* win. The second reason was that we didn't have too many competitors under the age of 12. The numbers are now increasing, so it's a good idea that we look at it. As for a category for women, I would strongly discourage this. In chess, they have WGM and WIM and WFM titles in FIDE. This, unfortunately not only implies, but admits, that the current popluation of women in FIDE are not as strong as the men. Whereas this is true now, it is more simply a numbers game in that very few women compete in Rubik's Cube at the present time. Perhaps making categories for women would make it more attractive for women to compete, but I'd want to avoid the separation of women and men from competition. I'd prefer to see women start to challenge men in the standard competition, and it's happening. At US Nationals, Casey and Brittany Dzoan were among the finalists.

Hi Tyson, Thanks for your comment. I think we share very similar idea. The difference is the situation in between US and Japan. We have more kids but I am sure you will have more kids in future. I hope we could have more senior cubers. I think 18 is too old. Of course, 12 may be still old. But he or she has only one chance or twice to win at that age. They will not be eligible to participate in the next year because they grow. Since there are not many Mackys, I think U12 seems good seperation. Of course, I am not going to object if they want to participate in regular competitions. As for a category for women, I am not going to seperate. But I would like to honor the top women cubers.

Hi Tyson, Thanks for your comment. I think we share very similar idea. The difference is the situation in between US and Japan. We have more kids but I am sure you will have more kids in future. I hope we could have more senior cubers. I think 18 is too old. Of course, 12 may be still old. But he or she has only one chance or twice to win at that age. They will not be eligible to participate in the next year because they grow. Since there are not many Mackys, I think U12 seems good seperation. Of course, I am not going to object if they want to participate in regular competitions. As for a category for women, I am not going to seperate. But I would like to honor the top women cubers.

i think 12 sounds like a good age but is probably not a great thing to have them seperated just like honor them for doing the best under 12 because they are just going to be in the the normal catagory withing a year or 2 and may benifit from being able to mingle with the more experienced people. (although having a seprate child catagory may attract more children to come and compete)

I think having Divisions is alright, but i think it would be cool to do something like this: You have your divisions Junior, Normal, Senior. Who ever wins from those gets a title or something. Then anyone from any division also comes to compete in a gaint, divisionless event. Unless that's what youguys were talking about.

hmm. i disgree. in my opinion, cubing is one of the only sports or activities where everyone has equal ability and the only thing separating players is the amount of practice they have put in. it may attract new participants, but it may encourage people to not do their best, because they know they may do well in their own division, but compared to everyone in all divisions, they may not be doing as well.

In speedcubing, age doesn't determine the skill of the competitor. The only boundary a younger competitor may face is that the cube is too large (Very young competitors) or that they have trouble memorizing algorithms. Other than that it is a pretty level playing field. You could always have awards for youngest and oldest competitors or something. Edward