Kalindu Sachintha Wijesundara19.67 FMC MEAN -

[gruuby]

The fact that local competitors who have met him loved him so much, and for him to still lie while trying to explain himself just makes the discovery and conclusion of cheating so much more disgusting. The betrayal of trust and with seemingly little to no guilt is pretty gross to see. I'm glad justice was served.

 

[IsThatA4x4]

Using Kalindu time he was already exposed on the 8th of May

 

[RprimeUprimeF]

sad to hear this. I was hoping he was legit.. he would have been a great inspiration to all of us.

 

[Silky]

Insane. As far as I am aware this ban(of 8 years) is the largest ban the WCA has a ever issued. For those who did not read the report here is the main things:
Kalindu used FMC program Mallard to cheat in FMC at two comps Marawila Cubing Challenge and Rajarata Cubing Challenge.
AND for Sri Lanken FMC Nationals the scrambles were generated 43 days before the comp!
Insane scandal I agree with @Cubist-Guitar I am glad the WCA came to this conclusion.
I am curious to see Kalindu’s response to this.

Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't receive a lifetime ban given the scope of the situation. To reiterate - not only did they cheat a World Record, they also used their position as a junior delegate to do so. It's a bad look for the WCA and opens a greater question of how they determine who can or cannot become a delegate. Very realistically there may need to be an overhaul of how competitions are run. At the very least preventing delegates from participating in comps that they run would be a solution (which would be reasonable imo). 8 years is generous to be frank but I do agree that people deserve second chances. I would like to see an appeal from Kalindu as there could be a middle ground reached. Perhaps a shorter overall ban with a lifetime specifically in FMC would make sense (+never being allowed to become a delegate again).

 

[UncleFrank]

This thread still says [WR] in red at the top.

Good point.
Maybe @Mike Hughey can rectify that.

 

[qwr]

Honestly, I'm surprised they didn't receive a lifetime ban given the scope of the situation. To reiterate - not only did they cheat a World Record, they also used their position as a junior delegate to do so. It's a bad look for the WCA and opens a greater question of how they determine who can or cannot become a delegate. Very realistically there may need to be an overhaul of how competitions are run. At the very least preventing delegates from participating in comps that they run would be a solution (which would be reasonable imo). 8 years is generous to be frank but I do agree that people deserve second chances. I would like to see an appeal from Kalindu as there could be a middle ground reached. Perhaps a shorter overall ban with a lifetime specifically in FMC would make sense (+never being allowed to become a delegate again).

an 8 year ban is pretty much a lifetime ban for physical sports. maybe not for chess. but 8 years a lot of life happens. (8 years ago I was in my college freshman dorm watching the 2016 election results. not sure if I'm any smarter than I was then but I hope so. )

 

[JDAW6]

Yeah, 8 years is like higher than the average age of cubers nowadays.

 

[abunickabhi]

Good and fair decision by the WDC. I feel a 8-year ban is too long for Kalindu. Let's see. Hope Sri Lankan cubing does not suffer.

 

[ichcubegerne]

Very realistically there may need to be an overhaul of how competitions are run. At the very least preventing delegates from participating in comps that they run would be a solution (which would be reasonable imo).

While this indeed poses a higher barrier of entry to cheating like that, it will be a huge demotivating factor for people to delegate competitions. If I were a delegate, I would not delegate a competition, if I couldnt compete in it.

 

[m.ipg21]

wow... I wanted to give some benefit of the doubt... but....

 

[SkewbIsTheBestEvent]

IMO, most competitors who get banned for a certain amount of time will never return. This is because the public will know about what they did and not like them, so if they return nobody will want to talk to them. So that is basically receiving a lifelong ban.

 

[UKCubeFan]

While this indeed poses a higher barrier of entry to cheating like that, it will be a huge demotivating factor for people to delegate competitions. If I were a delegate, I would not delegate a competition, if I couldnt compete in it.

Just because a delegate isn't competing, doesn't stop them participating in cheating - it would probably just lower the risk.

 

[AhsanDaCuber125]

WDC Report on a Case of Cheating in Fewest Moves Challenge | World Cube Association

The World Cube Association governs competitions for mechanical puzzles that are operated by twisting groups of pieces, commonly known as 'twisty puzzles'. The most famous of these puzzles is the Rubik's Cube, invented by professor Rubik from Hungary. A selection of these puzzles are chosen as...

www.worldcubeassociation.org

Wow, looking at this, I'm astonished.
Kalindu trying to keep cool and stay away from the truth was just nasty.

 

[Fukuoka Kengo James]

Father Mother Children.

 

[BVCuber13]

Good point.
Maybe @Mike Hughey can rectify that.

or @Hari Hari , as they are the creator of this thread, can edit the thread title

 

[JDAW6]

Back on topic, I think this is one of the biggest surprises in the WCA punishment history. Normally they are kind to delegates. I know this isn't small by any means, but come on, 8 years?

He cheated in 2 different comps to get WR1 and WR2, I think 8 years is good.

 

[espeed]

Back on topic, I think this is one of the biggest surprises in the WCA punishment history. Normally they are kind to delegates. I know this isn't small by any means, but come on, 8 years?

Especially delegates should be punished hard if cheating

 

[UncleFrank]

8 years is harsh enough to really send a message, but WDC can still say he'll have a 2nd chance. Eventually.
Probably would only be 2-3 years if he admits it and actually shows remorse. Which he could still do in an appeal.

I think it's deserving of a lifetime ban, tho. Everything he's ever done as a delegate is now questionable and can't be trusted. Every one of those comps will forever have a shadow of doubt over their validity. Some things just go too far and are too egregious to ever deserve another chance.

 

[SkewbIsTheBestEvent]

Back on topic, I think this is one of the biggest surprises in the WCA punishment history. Normally they are kind to delegates. I know this isn't small by any means, but come on, 8 years?

This makes no sense at all. If anything, they would be extremely harsh on delegates, as they are the ones who should be responsible and follow the rules. Delegates must be trusted in order to have fair competitions.

In terms of the report, what really sold me was the evidence from Mallard logs. Everything else wasn't concrete evidence until I read that part of the report.

 

[JDAW6]

Every one of those comps will forever have a shadow of doubt over their validity.

Do you mean all the results from the comps that he had delegated should be removed.