Minh Thai
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Minh Thai (born Thái Minh) is a Vietnamese-American speedcuber. As a sixteen-year-old student, he won the first World Championship in 1982 in Budapest, Hungary with a best single of 22.95 seconds using a corners first method.
Around 1979 he came to the USA from Vietnam as a refugee, speaking no English. Seven days after buying a Cube in June 1981, he could do it in under two minutes.[1]
The US Championship took place on November 13 1981. Minh Thai, age 16, won with a best time of 26.04 seconds, beating Jeffrey Varasano into second place. The first prize was $2000 plus the trip to the World Championships. The tournament was recorded and broadcast on the TV show "That's Incredible" shown on December 7.[2]
Minh Thai won the first World Rubik's Cube Championship 1982 in Budapest (5 June) with a best time (in round 2) of 22.95 seconds. He also had the best time averaged over all three rounds. David Singmaster reports that he used a Corners First method.[3] His time of 22.95 seconds would become the official world record until the next championship in 2003.
On November 5 1982 a 2nd American Rubik's Cube Championships ("Cube-A-Thon") took place. Contestants competed for the title of "National Champion" and the right to challenge Minh Thai. Minh Thai won the title of "Grand Champion" by beating David Allen. The tournament was broadcast on "That's Incredible" on January 24 1983.[4]
Minh Thai is the author of the following books:
- Thai, Minh, (1982) The winning solution. Banbury Wayne. ISBN 0-440-09795-9
- Thai, Minh, (1982) The winning solution to Rubik's revenge. Banbury Wayne. ISBN 0-440-07500-9
Minh Thai still lives in the Los Angeles area of California. He works as a dealer in perfumes, fragrances and similar cosmetics.[5]
Achievements
| World Titles | ||
| Preceded by None |
3x3 Speedsolving World Champion 1982 |
Succeeded by Dan Knights 2003 |
See also
External links
- Video: That's Incredible, Dec 7 1981 featuring Minh Thai
- Video: YouTube: Minh Thai's world record 22.95 seconds at the 1982 world championship
