#8 Jake Brown
This week we have some more personal reflections on the cubing year from Jake Brown!
What do you feel was your greatest accomplishment this year?
Without a doubt, finally getting my first official sub-minute 5x5 average at UKC. It was a goal I'd had for years, probably way back before I even started competing when I first started practicing 5x5. This year alone I had four separate rounds where I had a best possible average of under a minute, but couldn't get it on the last solve, and a total of 11 averages under 1:04, before I finally got it in UKC semi finals. I was so relieved that I had finally been able to prove myself under competition pressure, and now I know I can do it, I've never felt better in striving for even bigger goals!
What was your favourite competition this year?
My favourite comp has to be Hampshire spring - I got my second ever medal, which proved the first wasn't just a fluke, as well as some other great results in 3x3 and Pyraminx. I was also lucky enough to see Daniel Partridge's European Record Pyraminx average, a result that everyone had been hoping for for a long time, as well as the (then) WR Pyraminx podium, with Daniel, Ed, and Jason. Beyond the results, I also vlogged the competition! Messing around and having fun, and being able to share the experience with the world on my YouTube channel, is something I'll always be extremely grateful for, and it really makes the comps that much more special!
Do you have any goals in mind for 2024?
As I've recently had the wonderful opportunity to join the UKCA staff team, one of my main goals for 2024 will definitely be to help out with competitions more and elevate the UK cubing scene to be as great as we know it can be. I've already had so many incredible moments in my cubing journey, so if I can help other people have more moments like that as well, then I'll be there doing whatever I can. In terms of my own results, I now have bigger ambitions than ever - I've always wanted to become a proper all-rounder, so I'm definitely going to dedicate more specific practice to achieving that goal, but I also know that there's still a long way to go in 5x5 for me, so I hope to continue to push the boundaries of the Hoya method for big cubes and show that it can be competitive.
What else would you like to see happen in 2024?
Mainly, I just want 2024 to be bigger and better than ever before for the UK cubing scene - more comps in more new places, more newer competitors reaching the highest echelon of UK cubing, and just more of the amazing moments that the last few years have brought me and the rest of the community! I am firmly of the belief that there has never been a better time to be a UK cuber than right now!
Thanks for answering Jake, and best of luck for all of your 2024 ambitions!!