Runaway Bay May Sunday 2023

A blistering 18.33 single blindfolded solve by Charlie Eggins set the standard at Runaway Bay May Sunday 2023, setting off a relentless day of action across eight packed rounds. That stunning mark in the 3x3x3 Blindfolded final established the tempo for a competition defined by razor-thin margins and massive fields. Eighty-five competitors gathered at the Runaway Bay Community Centre in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, on May 28, 2023, creating an intense atmosphere where progressing through even a single qualifying stage required top-tier precision from every solver.

The depth of the field was felt most acutely in the flagship Rubik's Cube event. Eighty entrants lined up in the opening round of the 3x3x3 Cube, each battling for a coveted spot across three tiers of competition. Reaching the final stage demanded total consistency under pressure, leaving no room for a slip on any single solve. When the final round dust settled, Charlie Eggins captured the top spot with an 8.05 winning average and a round-best 6.39 single, edging out Hayden Ng who took second with an 8.29 average, while Christian Morgan earned third with 8.69.

The 3x3 results demonstrated just how unforgiving this WCA competition proved across all three rounds. The battle for podium places was matched by personal milestone breakthroughs across the order. Benjamin Warry delivered an average of 10.42 alongside a single of 7.77, while Mitchell Anderson posted a 12.13 average and an 11.13 single. Jack Hinz registered a 16.17 average and a 14.65 single, while Toby Chamberlain secured a 17.86 average and a 16.00 single. William Cormack also pushed into new territory with a 19.06 average, proving how hard every cut was contested.

Away from the main stage, the lower-bracket battles and individual journeys told an equally compelling story across the tournament floor. Lin Kaneko produced one of the most dramatic leaps of the entire meeting, shaving 48 percent off their previous standard by laying down a 16.13 single in the 3x3x3 Cube. Elijah Collom also made massive gains across two events, dropping their Pyraminx mark by 45.7 percent with a 9.26 personal best while recording a 28.16 in the 3x3x3 Cube. Roy El Haik slashed 43.7 percent off their 3x3x3 Cube best to score a 20.63, matching that progress with a 6.88 in Pyraminx to finish 16th overall.

Several competitors embraced brand new challenges alongside huge personal bests during the weekend. Iago Julio-de Almeida entered three events, taking on their first ever attempt at Square-1 with a 27.30, improving their Pyraminx best by 42.2 percent down to 2.93, lowering their 3x3x3 Cube best by 17.7 percent to 7.47, and finishing sixth in the main event. Jerome Mak tackled their first Square-1 solve with a 24.73 to secure ninth place while dropping their Pyraminx best by 38.4 percent to 6.62. Luca Fox logged their first Square-1 solve at 1:33.29 and improved their 3x3x3 Cube best by 27.9 percent to 11.45, finishing 17th. Alex Wu posted a 30.61 on their Square-1 debut while cutting their Pyraminx mark by 22.9 percent to 6.42, and Damon Jobbings completed their first official Pyraminx solve with a 9.42 while taking 25.7 percent off their 3x3x3 Cube best at 20.83.

The side events generated intense battles of their own throughout the afternoon. In Square-1, twenty competitors battled through a direct final where Hayden Ng captured first place with an impressive 7.76 winning average and a 6.28 single. Benjamin Warry took second place on the podium with an 8.25 average, while Charlie Eggins secured third with an 11.17 average. The high-speed shape-shifting puzzle showcased incredible technical execution at the top end, keeping the Gold Coast audience thoroughly engaged.

Pyraminx brought another massive entry list to the floor, drawing 67 competitors across three demanding elimination rounds. Andrew Huang emerged triumphant in the final round, taking first place with an ultra-consistent 3.16 average and a 2.57 best single. Charlie Eggins continued a remarkable multi-discipline campaign by capturing second place with a 3.24 average, while Benjamin Warry locked up third place with a 3.95 average, completing an all-Australian podium sweep across the event.

The 3x3x3 Blindfolded contest concluded the specialized events, requiring flawless memorisation and tactile memory under intense pressure. Charlie Eggins proved dominant in the twelve-competitor field, taking first place on the strength of that spectacular 18.33 winning single despite a DNF average. Conan Mo secured second place with a clean 1:33.52 single solve, while Raymond Wu Won completed the podium in third place with a time of 2:04.70.

By the time the final timers were packed away, Runaway Bay May Sunday 2023 had delivered non-stop drama across all four disciplines. Every one of the twelve podium spots across the competition was claimed by Australian solvers, reflecting the sheer caliber of local speedcubing talent. From the first rounds to the decisive podium solves, this speed cubing showcase highlighted the depth and ambition driving the regional scene forward into future seasons.