Puzzling Parramatta 2024

Australian competitors completed an absolute sweep across every single event at Puzzling Parramatta 2024, locking down all 37 podium positions awarded throughout the weekend. The tournament ran from August 10 to August 11 at Parramatta Public School in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Across two action-packed days of speedcubing, 80 solvers tackled a diverse roster of 10 official disciplines and 17 total rounds, showcasing world-class depth and precision on home soil.

The standout performer in the classic 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube was Bryan Eng, who captured the premier title with a sharp 7.52 winning average across three tense rounds. Eng set an electric tone by laying down a 6.15 best single, topping a competitive field of 79 entrants. Sebastian Lee followed closely in second place with an 8.47 average, while Elias Chong rounded out the all-Australian podium in third with an average of 9.02, cementing the local domination in the final 3x3 results.

Eng was not satisfied with just one victory, assembling a remarkable four-title haul in the big cube categories. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which drew 62 entrants, Eng claimed gold with a 28.95 average and a blistering 25.34 single. Moving on to the 6x6x6 Cube, he topped the 33-competitor roster with a 1:42.01 average, besting Thomas Tinlin and Harrison Jonathan Newbery-Chunn. Eng then conquered the 7x7x7 Cube with a 2:52.25 average, finishing ahead of Newbery-Chunn and Tinlin once more.

Sebastian Lee also enjoyed a golden weekend, capturing top honors across two distinct disciplines. Lee delivered lightning-fast execution in the Pyraminx, securing first place among 64 participants with a stunning 1.63 average and a 1.05 single, finishing ahead of Miles Irwin and Eng. In the Clock event, Lee locked down another victory among 39 competitors with a 5.79 average and a 5.57 single, outperforming Chong and Daniel Wang on the podium.

The blindfolded categories offered an incredible exhibition of memorisation and spatial awareness, highlighted by Michael Tripodi. In the grueling 3x3x3 Multi-Blind event, Tripodi successfully solved 40 out of 45 cubes in 57:30 to lead a 17-person field. Tripodi also captured first place in 3x3x3 Blindfolded with a 20.39 single, edging out Hans Lin and Chong, and claimed the 5x5x5 Blindfolded title with a 3:51.73 single ahead of Aaron Rattanachaipipat. Daniel Wang took the 4x4x4 Blindfolded crown with a 2:41.29 single.

Behind the top podium steps, Puzzling Parramatta 2024 provided a stage for incredible personal milestones and rapid growth. Andy Cao shaved over four minutes off their 6x6x6 Cube personal best with a 2:52.17 result, which was 62.8 percent faster than their previous mark, while also recording a first attempt at 7x7x7 Cube in 4:06.31. Jacob Wong trimmed their 3x3x3 mark by 45.8 percent to 12.83 and logged a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt in 1:39.10. Derek Xu improved their 3x3x3 time by 42.5 percent to 23.64, and Emerson Owen took on five events, improving their Clock personal best by 47.3 percent to 10.99.

Fresh faces and multi-event challengers also made significant strides throughout the cubing competition. Isaac Lu entered three events, setting a 4x4x4 Cube mark of 53.32 on a first attempt and improving their Pyraminx mark by 35 percent to 5.24. Cabrini Lee took on five events, securing a 10th-place finish in Multi-Blind while improving their 3x3x3 time by 28 percent to 17.58. First-time WCA competition debutants made an immediate splash as well, with Ethan Zhiming Richards contesting four events and scoring a 9.90 Pyraminx, while Josiah Hardjono completed three disciplines including an opening 17.35 3x3x3 attempt.

The 2024 gathering at Parramatta Public School demonstrated the deep talent across the Australian speed cubing community, from elite title contenders to dedicated newcomers. With 17 rounds completed without a hitch, the weekend celebrated both top-tier mastery and personal growth. Solvers now turn their attention to training and refining their solves as the local season continues to build momentum.