FMC New Zealand 2025

Sheets of paper, pens, and scrambled puzzles were spread methodically across tables as competitors settled in for a deep test of efficiency. The atmosphere in each room was calm and intensely focused, with participants scrutinising every angle of the scramble to map out optimal rotations before writing down their steps. Rather than a battle of pure turning speed, this specialized format demanded calculated planning and patience, providing a distinctive stage for dedicated solvers taking part in the discipline across multiple locations.

Participants covered significant distances across the country to reach their respective venues, journeying between various regions to converge simultaneously on December 6, 2025. This coordinated effort brought together 26 competitors spread across Multiple cities, New Zealand, all tackling identical scrambles at the exact same time. The single-day WCA competition united solvers from different corners of the nation, bridging geographic separations through a shared enthusiasm for the craft of speed cubing.

Taking top honours at FMC New Zealand 2025 was Tom Nelson, who delivered a standout performance to claim the win in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Nelson secured first place with an impressive winning average of 24.00 moves across the contest, anchored by a best single solution of 22 moves. His steady execution across all three attempts placed him at the summit of the standings in an event where every extraneous turn is costly.

Joining Nelson on the podium were fellow New Zealand solvers Aneurin Hunt and Jack Maddigan, completing a clean sweep of the top positions for the host nation. Hunt took the runner-up spot with an average of 27.67 moves, supported by an exceptional single effort of 23 moves. Maddigan earned the third podium place by finishing with an average of 29.67 moves alongside a best single of 29 moves, ensuring all three medal positions went to local competitors at FMC New Zealand 2025.

Beyond the podium race, several participants achieved personal breakthroughs and milestone attempts on the official stage. Harry Davies produced a major leap forward by logging a 3x3x3 Fewest Moves personal best single of 33, which was 29.8 percent faster than his prior mark of 47. Franklin Y. Yuan also made substantial gains, securing a personal best single of 24 that improved on his previous standard of 30 by 20 percent on his way to 6th place. Bryn Gordon lowered his best to 31, representing an 18.4 percent improvement over his earlier 38, while Seth Nasol cut his personal best to 31 from 37, marking a 16.2 percent improvement.

Milestone steps continued throughout the field as solvers tackled new challenges in the cubing competition. Numair Malik posted a personal best single of 29, an improvement of 17.1 percent from his previous mark of 35, earning 5th place overall. Cooper Jones registered a personal best single of 31, besting his previous benchmark of 33 by 6.1 percent. First-time event attempts were highlighted by Levi Eyou, who completed a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a mark of 38, and Hussain Alsibaee, who logged a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a score of 54.

The single-event schedule of the day concentrated all attention squarely on the complexities of the classic Rubik's Cube when approached through deliberate, turn-by-turn analysis. With 1 rounds comprising three distinct solving attempts, each entrant had to manage their time carefully across sixty-minute solving blocks. The depth of the field was shown in the lower brackets as well, where Xavier Courteau-Laing achieved an average of 30.00 with a single of 28, and international competitor Ram Thakkar from India recorded an average of 34.00 and a best single of 32.

As the scores were finalized and the 3x3 results verified, FMC New Zealand 2025 concluded a rewarding day of competitive speedcubing. The multi-venue setup demonstrated how regional hubs can unite an entire community for high-level problem solving, leaving participants with fresh personal milestones and valuable experience as they look ahead to the next season of events across the country.