Glasgow 3x3 Evening 2024

The Learning and Teaching Building at Strathclyde University buzzed with focused energy as competitors gathered for a single evening dedicated entirely to the classic Rubik's Cube. The staging area saw timers reset and puzzles aligned as 36 entrants prepared for three intense rounds of action. With rivals hailing from local clubs and international territories alike, the meeting provided a direct showcase of regional talent squaring off across the solving tables. Glasgow 3x3 Evening 2024 stood as a concentrated test of speed and precision in Scotland.

Held on October 9, 2024, the contest brought together a varied roster in Glasgow, City of Glasgow, United Kingdom. The regional rivalry at the heart of the bracket pitted local standouts representing the United Kingdom against challengers representing Macau, China, Poland, and Norway. With only one puzzle discipline on the schedule, every solve counted toward advancing through the rounds. The focused format turned the night into a sprint where any hesitation could end a podium bid.

The final round delivered an impressive demonstration of form from Johnny Morello Kerlaff of the United Kingdom, who claimed first place with an average of 7.61 seconds alongside the fastest single solve of the round at 5.84 seconds. Kerlaff established control early in the evening, also registering marks of 5.41 for a single solve and 7.37 for an average across earlier stages. The British contender held off fierce international pressure to keep the top spot on home soil throughout the speedcubing gathering.

Challenging Kerlaff at the top of the standings was Max Kwok U Sam (郭愉琛), representing Macau, who delivered consistent solves across all stages to secure second place overall. Kwok posted a final-round average of 9.27 seconds, complemented by a single solve of 7.49 and an average of 9.69 in preceding action. Rounding out the podium was the United Kingdom's Adam Black, who took third place with an average of 9.48 seconds in the final, having previously laid down an 8.32 single and an 8.94 average in earlier phases of the competition.

The final round also saw remarkable performances from competitors who pushed the leaders down to the final turn. Bella Campbell of the United Kingdom registered an average of 9.98 seconds alongside a single of 7.77, while China's Junhan Wen secured a 10.20 average and an 8.89 single. The depth of the 3x3 results demonstrated how closely matched the field remained across three successive rounds of speed cubing at Strathclyde University.

Away from the top of the podium, several participants marked significant individual progress that defined the evening. Caty Langa delivered one of the steepest improvements of the tournament, taking their 3x3x3 Cube personal best down to 14.75 seconds, an improvement of 20.2 percent over their prior mark of 18.48. Gideon Sargent similarly dropped considerable time, setting a personal best of 18.72 seconds to finish 13.6 percent faster than their previous 21.66 benchmark. Aleena Xu made strong strides by claiming eighth place overall while lowering their personal best by 11.8 percent to 10.49 seconds, down from 11.90. Yuyang Liu also found extra speed, earning twelfth place with a new best of 10.36 seconds, which was 12.9 percent quicker than their previous 11.89.

First-time achievements also stood out during the evening sessions. Raphael Carrozza logged a first ever attempt at the 3x3x3 Cube in official play, securing a time of 22.38 seconds across the event. Ayan Curthan tackled their first WCA competition at Glasgow 3x3 Evening 2024, completing a first ever attempt in the discipline in 42.42 seconds. Michael Hay recorded a new personal best of 18.75 seconds on the night, while Joshua Kitchen advanced well through the field to secure a best finish of 13th place.

The remaining table saw steady marks across multiple regional representatives. Shiraz Malik recorded an average of 11.34 seconds with a 10.62 single, Billy McFadyen produced an 11.91 average alongside a 10.41 single, and Poland's Michal J. Sekulski posted a 12.99 average with an 11.43 single. Hayden Wallace completed his campaign with an average of 13.47 seconds and a best single of 10.68. With two podium spots going to the United Kingdom and one to Macau, this cubing competition highlighted the tight regional and global contests possible in a single-event format.

As the equipment was packed away at the Learning and Teaching Building, the event concluded as a sharp, memorable chapter in the 2024 calendar. Across 36 competitors, three rounds of intense solving determined the final standings without room for error. Glasgow 3x3 Evening 2024 wrapped up with local and international racers having tested their limits against the clock in Glasgow.