Keep Christchurch Qualified 2024

A massive 45 out of 51 cubes solved without sight stood as the undisputed highlight at St Albans Community Centre as Keep Christchurch Qualified 2024 gathered an elite field of memory specialists. James Macdiarmid delivered the standout performance of the single-day gathering, requiring an exact hour and two seconds to complete his ambitious multi-blind attempt. It was a masterclass in spatial recall that set the standard for an intensive day of high-stakes blindfolded solving in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The one-day WCA competition took place on November 16, 2024, bringing together five dedicated competitors across four demanding rounds. With all five entrants representing New Zealand, the gathering served as a pure showcase of domestic expertise across the full spectrum of memory-based categories. Rather than hosting standard speed events, the schedule placed an exclusive focus on solving the Rubik's Cube and larger twisty puzzles entirely under blindfolds, demanding flawless concentration and execution from every entrant.

Local standout Numair Malik enjoyed an exceptionally productive day on the tournament floor, securing multiple victories across the four contested disciplines. In the standard 3x3x3 Blindfolded round, Malik posted the top mark with a swift single of 1:22.98. His winning effort separated him from a determined field of five solvers, demonstrating sharp recognition and rapid finger execution to lock down first place on the podium.

The 3x3 results in the blindfolded category reflected a fiercely competitive group of Kiwi solvers pushing their personal limits. Oscar Childs followed Malik on the podium, taking second place with a time of 2:10.19. Finn Trass secured third place with a time of 4:14.75, rounding out the top three finishers who managed valid singles, while Daniel Fraser and James Macdiarmid recorded DNFs in their respective attempts during the round.

Beyond the standard three-layered puzzle, the gathering expanded into the complex territory of big blindfolded solving. In the 4x4x4 Blindfolded discipline, Oscar Childs claimed the top step of the podium as the only competitor to register a successful completion. Childs navigated the parity challenges and inner slice mechanics of the four-layered puzzle to post a winning single time of 8:30.89, outlasting Daniel Fraser and Numair Malik in the three-person field.

Malik returned to the top of the standings in the gruelling 5x5x5 Blindfolded contest, where competitors faced the daunting task of memorising numerous edge and centre pieces without sight. As one of only two solvers brave enough to take on the challenge, Malik delivered the sole successful solve of the round, stopping the clock at 33:54.00 to take first place ahead of Childs, who recorded a DNF.

The multi-blindfolded discipline delivered depth across the board, testing stamina and memory palaces over extended durations. Behind Macdiarmid's winning total of 45 out of 51 cubes, Malik proved his all-around versatility once again by securing second place, successfully solving 6 out of 7 cubes in 44:40. Childs finished in third position on the podium after completing 11 out of 17 cubes in a time of 57:14, while Fraser was unable to register a score.

With eleven total podium placements earned across the four rounds, the intimate speedcubing event highlighted the strength and technical depth of New Zealand's memory specialists. Keep Christchurch Qualified 2024 proved that a small, highly specialised cubing competition can produce remarkable individual achievements, giving local competitors a crucial platform to record national-level marks in the region during the 2024 season.

As the final timers were cleared at St Albans Community Centre, the single-day speed cubing meet concluded having delivered four hard-fought events. From Macdiarmid's massive multi-cube tally to Malik's dual titles and Childs' big cube success, Keep Christchurch Qualified 2024 underlined the immense focus and preparation required at the highest levels of blindfolded solving.