A UC Berkeley graduate student is gearing up to compete in the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship in Spain. Hannah Doyle, a dedicated speed puzzler, has honed her skills by solving three 500-piece puzzles daily and participating in marathon puzzle sessions with friends. Her passion for puzzling ignited after watching online speed puzzling competitions about a year ago, prompting her to time herself and achieve impressive completion times.
Since delving into speed puzzling, Doyle has clinched victories in various competitions, including a second-place finish in nationals. Notably, she engaged in a 12-hour puzzling marathon with her team, “Girls in STEMP,” where the “P” signifies puzzles. When not immersed in puzzling, Doyle focuses on her STEM research, delving into human vision and exploring innovative ways to stimulate retinas using specialized laser systems.
Becca Taylor, the vice president of the USA Jigsaw Puzzle Association, lauds Doyle’s remarkable visual acuity and manual dexterity required for her puzzling endeavors. Taylor, a gold medalist in the previous World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship, acknowledges the thriving puzzling community in the Bay Area, which boasts a high representation of trophy winners across the three divisions.
While Taylor won’t be competing in this year’s championship, she remains a staunch supporter of fellow puzzlers from the Bay Area. Doyle, on the other hand, meticulously prepares for the upcoming championship by recreating the competition conditions on her table, ensuring she’s ready for the challenge.
The World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation anticipates participants from 72 countries in this year’s championship, expressing excitement over the record-breaking participation. Alfonso Alvarez-Ossorio of the Federation underscores the event’s global appeal, aiming to introduce millions of puzzle enthusiasts worldwide to this prestigious competition.
The championship is set to take place in Valladolid, Spain, from September 15 to 21. Doyle aspires to inspire others to discover fulfilling hobbies, emphasizing the importance of exploring new interests and staying open to new experiences.
As the puzzle community eagerly anticipates the championship, Doyle remains focused on her training and hopes to make a mark on the global stage, representing UC Berkeley and showcasing her puzzling prowess to the world.
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