Speedy South Perth 2023

The tables inside the South Perth Community Hall were filled with clicking plastic and focused concentration on November 19, 2023. Rows of competitors worked under the match lighting as timers started and stopped with sharp precision across six total rounds of play. The gathering brought together 92 competitors for a fast-paced single-day cubing competition in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, offering an intense showcase of skill on two classic puzzles.

Local standout Amy Smith gave the Australian supporters plenty to celebrate in the 2x2x2 Cube event. Racing through three consecutive rounds of competition, Smith secured victory with an exceptional winning average of 2.73 seconds, backed by a best single solve of 2.04 seconds. The Australian competitor also delivered an official single of 2.22 seconds and a 2.57-second average along the way, leading a clean podium sweep for the host country.

The 2x2x2 Cube final saw intense pressure behind Smith, as fellow Australians Jay Calter and Tyler Williams battled for the remaining podium spots. Calter took the runner-up position with a strong average of 3.13 seconds, highlighted by an earlier single of 2.21 seconds and a 3.33-second average. Williams followed closely behind in third place with a 3.14-second average, having registered a 3.34-second single and a 3.60-second average during the event schedule.

The spotlight across the floor at Speedy South Perth 2023 extended far beyond the top steps of the podium. Lachlan Paton delivered one of the weekend highlights by shaving 53.9 percent off his personal record in the 2x2x2 Cube with a time of 1.43 seconds on his way to a 12th-place finish. Eli Warden showed massive growth across two events, dropping his 2x2x2 Cube best by 53.7 percent to 5.25 seconds and his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 22 percent to 24.44 seconds. Leeuie Renwick lowered his 2x2x2 Cube personal best by 53.1 percent down to 2.07 seconds while taking his 3x3x3 Cube record to 14.30 seconds. Xavier Nielsen improved by 52.9 percent on the smaller puzzle with a 6.96-second solve and lowered his 3x3x3 mark to 43.39 seconds.

Fresh milestones continued throughout the day as competitors expanded their event repertoires. Sam Fort recorded a first attempt at the 2x2x2 Cube of 14.86 seconds alongside a 38.65-second personal record on the standard puzzle. Alexander Cross tackled his first 2x2x2 Cube solve in 4.26 seconds and recorded a 21.98-second personal best in the 3x3x3 Cube. Claudia Johnson completed a first 2x2x2 Cube attempt in 7.79 seconds and set a 30.12-second record on the larger cube. For William Riordan, this was a first WCA competition experience, logging opening marks of 46.57 seconds on the 3x3x3 Cube and 13.07 seconds on the 2x2x2 Cube.

The 3x3x3 Cube event drew a full field of 92 solvers to the tables, creating intense drama through three rounds of Rubik's Cube solving. Noah Cheong of Singapore captured first place overall, finishing with a winning average of 10.15 seconds and a tournament-best single of 9.33 seconds. Cheong also contributed to the multi-event action by registering a 3.46-second single and a 3.76-second average during the 2x2x2 Cube competition rounds.

Australian competitors pushed the pace in the 3x3 results, keeping the margin for victory razor thin. Zak Kenny claimed the silver medal with a 10.16-second average, missing the top spot by a mere one-hundredth of a second. Aaron Espiritu earned the bronze medal with a 10.46-second average, adding to a busy schedule where Espiritu also recorded a 2.76-second single and a 3.42-second average on the 2x2x2 Cube.

Across the board, the speed cubing action demonstrated remarkable depth across the 80 competitors who took on the 2x2x2 Cube and the full roster that entered the 3x3x3 Cube. Additional notable results included Australian solvers Marco Campitelli recording a 2.87-second single, Jonathan O'Neill posting a 2.72-second single, and Jude Henry Nailer logging a 2.55-second single. Zeke McQueen Laval recorded a 2.35-second single and Lucius Leong produced a 2.92-second mark during the competition.

Speedy South Perth 2023 wrapped up having awarded six podium spots across two events, with Australia claiming five podium finishes and Singapore taking one. The single-day speedcubing meet highlighted the dedication of local organizers and competitors in Western Australia, leaving the community with dozens of new personal benchmarks to carry forward into the 2023 season.