Murdoch University Open 2024

Australian speedcubers achieved a total sweep of all twenty-one podium positions at Murdoch University Open 2024, securing every single top-three spot across the full schedule of events. Held across February 3 and 4 at the Boola Katitjin building at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, the competition welcomed 119 competitors battling through 16 rounds of action. The weekend provided high-stakes drama and extraordinary individual achievements, demonstrating the strength and depth of local talent in the 2024 speedcubing scene.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew 114 entrants across three intense rounds. Joshua Hounslow claimed top honours with a winning average of 7.89 seconds, powered by a sharp best single of 7.35 seconds. Lachlan Stephens chased closely behind to secure second place with an 8.26-second average, while Jonathan Charlesworth captured third place with an average of 8.78 seconds. These decisive 3x3 results confirmed Hounslow at the head of a formidable field of competitors who pushed the classic Rubik's Cube to blistering single-digit averages.

Hounslow extended his command over the weekend by collecting two additional victories in the multi-layered puzzles. In the 4x4x4 Cube, Hounslow captured first place with an average of 31.84 seconds and a best single of 27.38 seconds, edging Charlesworth who finished second at 32.09 seconds, while Zak Kenny claimed third with 32.28 seconds. Hounslow also dominated the Pyraminx final, registering an impressive winning average of 2.61 seconds and a single of 1.75 seconds to lead Tyler Williams at 3.91 seconds and Charlesworth at 3.95 seconds.

Jonathan Charlesworth matched Hounslow with multiple titles of his own across the weekend. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Charlesworth took first place with a 2.13-second winning average and a best single of 1.74 seconds, overcoming runner-up Marco Campitelli at 2.66 seconds and third-place Jay Calter at 2.85 seconds. Charlesworth added another gold in the Skewb final, winning with an average of 2.60 seconds ahead of Tyler Williams at 3.24 seconds and Amy Smith at 3.33 seconds, proving his versatility across short-format puzzles.

The remaining events at this WCA competition delivered equally tight battles. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Tyler Williams emerged triumphant with a winning average of 1:03.80, finishing just ahead of Charlesworth with 1:04.39 and Hounslow with 1:04.49. Meanwhile, Lachlan Stephens claimed the 3x3x3 One-Handed title with a decisive average of 15.28 seconds, leading Charlesworth at 16.08 seconds and Williams at 16.15 seconds in an event demanding exceptional manual control and puzzle awareness.

Beyond the championship battles, Murdoch University Open 2024 featured notable personal milestones and breakthroughs across the broader field. Brooklyn Williams achieved a massive personal best in the 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 5.08 seconds, cutting 57.7 percent off their previous best of 12.00 seconds, while also taking on their first career attempt at the 4x4x4 Cube with a time of 2:17.03. Jeremiah Fox improved their 2x2x2 Cube personal record by 51.7 percent down to 4.78 seconds and logged a first ever attempt in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event at 1:06.46. Micah Roscoe lowered their 2x2x2 Cube mark by 41.6 percent to 3.62 seconds and took on their first Skewb solve at 10.08 seconds. Mason Macdonald shaved 44.8 percent off their 2x2x2 Cube best to hit 3.40 seconds while also logging a 42.17 in their first 3x3x3 One-Handed attempt.

Other competitors took on ambitious multi-event schedules to make their marks across new formats. Triston Nie delivered a personal best of 34.08 seconds in the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, an improvement of 42.6 percent over their prior 59.37, while also logging a first ever 5x5x5 Cube attempt of 1:49.09 across seven total events. Devin Telfer registered three new event milestones, tackling their first Pyraminx solve at 5.74 seconds, first 4x4x4 Cube attempt at 1:01.99, and first 3x3x3 One-Handed attempt at 35.36 seconds. Jack McLean ventured into three fresh events as well, logging initial career times of 14.16 seconds on Skewb, 14.63 seconds on Pyraminx, and 1:57.65 on 4x4x4 Cube. Justin Franklin rounded out a busy weekend of seven events with first-time official marks of 12.47 on Skewb, 35.27 in 3x3x3 One-Handed, and 2:33.89 on 5x5x5 Cube.

The vibrant atmosphere across Boola Katitjin highlighted the growing community enthusiasm for speed cubing in Western Australia. Competitors across every division traded turns on the timer, judged rounds, and cheered every clean finish as seven different disciplines concluded without a hitch. The smooth execution of all sixteen rounds demonstrated the strength of the local organization and the dedication of the traveling participants.

As the final timers were cleared, Murdoch University Open 2024 stood as a testament to the thriving Australian speedcubing community. With three gold medals for Joshua Hounslow, two for Jonathan Charlesworth, and dominant performances from Lachlan Stephens and Tyler Williams, Australia secured an unprecedented sweep of every podium step. The weekend left participants with fresh benchmarks and new personal milestones as the region looks forward to another exciting season of cubing competition.