Only 3x3s in Perth 2024

Inside the South Perth Community Hall, the rhythmic clatter of plastic layers turning at breakneck pace filled the air as solvers gathered around the competition tables. With timers laid out and scorecards circulating, the single-day gathering focused exclusively on the classic Rubik's Cube and its specialized variants. The action delivered high-pressure drama from the opening rounds through to the finals, where mere fractions of a second separated podium contenders across the board.

The 3x3x3 One-Handed final emerged as a thrilling showcase of razor-thin margins. Tyler Williams captured the title with a winning average of 14.13 seconds, narrowly holding off Lachlan Stephens, who finished in second place with an average of 15.19 seconds. Joshua Hounslow claimed third place with an average of 15.70 seconds, leaving the entire top trio separated by just over a second and a half across three rounds of intense single-handed solving.

That spirited rivalry carried directly into the standard 3x3x3 Cube event at Only 3x3s in Perth 2024. Lachlan Stephens took top honours with a winning average of 7.70 seconds and a best single of 6.03 seconds, leading a field of 57 competitors across three rounds. Joshua Hounslow finished as runner-up with an 8.41 average, while Tyler Williams secured third place with an average of 8.74 seconds in a contest where every micro-adjustment mattered.

Held in Perth, Western Australia, Australia on May 25, 2024, the WCA competition featured 10 rounds across 5 specialized events. Competitors from Australia took 14 podium places alongside 1 from Singapore. In 3x3x3 Fewest Moves, Joshua Hounslow claimed victory with a 25.00 average, followed by Lachlan Stephens at 31.33 and Tyler Williams at 35.33. The 3x3x3 Blindfolded crown went to Joel Tan of Singapore with a winning single of 39.31 seconds, ahead of Amy Smith with 52.12 and Jaxon Foster with 1:39.27. In 3x3x3 Multi-Blind, Scott Adrian Meyer prevailed with a 7/7 result in 53:11.

Beyond the title contests at Only 3x3s in Perth 2024, substantial individual progress highlighted the depth of the local speed cubing community. Luca Toh achieved a standout 34.7 percent improvement in 3x3x3 One-Handed with a personal best of 2:03.19, while also improving their 3x3x3 Cube mark by 20.2 percent down to 18.32 seconds. Ameen Nethaka Abhayasinghe delivered major gains across three events, posting a personal best of 44 moves in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves for a 30.2 percent drop, alongside a 4th-place finish and a 3x3x3 Cube best of 13.44 seconds. Jay Wadia shaved 33 percent off their 3x3x3 One-Handed mark with a 32.29 personal best and finished 7th in 3x3x3 Multi-Blind.

New milestones continued throughout the venue as competitors tackled unfamiliar disciplines. Flynn Creelman took on five events at Only 3x3s in Perth 2024, achieving a 5th-place finish in 3x3x3 Blindfolded, a first ever attempt of 2/3 in 18:56 in 3x3x3 Multi-Blind, and a first ever 48-move result in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves. Barath Thandapani placed 5th in 3x3x3 Fewest Moves with a personal best of 59, improving by 21.3 percent, while Jude Henry Nailer logged their first attempt in the event with 51 moves to finish 7th. Daniel Good registered a first attempt in 3x3x3 One-Handed with 24.82 seconds, and Tom Nguyen improved their 3x3x3 Cube best by 25.4 percent down to 23.49 seconds.

The depth of the field was evident across all 3x3 results recorded during the weekend. The competition offered an intense look at speedcubing through variants requiring single-hand agility, cognitive endurance without sight, and calculated efficiency on paper. Competitors found success across all five formats, demonstrating the versatility demanded when a tournament dedicates every round to the traditional 3x3 shape.

With awards distributed and the final round completed, the single-day tournament concluded on a high note of sportsmanship and technical execution. The fierce battles between Stephens, Hounslow, and Williams defined the top of the standings, while breakthrough personal bests across the roster reinforced the vibrancy of this cubing competition. Solvers departed South Perth Community Hall having pushed the boundaries of standard 3x3 disciplines to close out a memorable day.