Katrina Coleman competed at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championships in Valladolid, Spain this September 2024, placing joint 7th in the solo division and 6th in teams. We spoke to Katrina to see how it feels to be the joint 7th fastest puzzler in the world!
When did you start speed puzzling?
I started speed puzzling when I saw the AJPA on Facebook. I’d wondered for many years if there were puzzle races and was excited when I realised there were!
When did you realise that you were faster than most people?
I had no expectations going into Nationals 2022, but I knew I was as fast as people who had posted videos about speed puzzling on the AJPA website. Winning the national competition at my first event was a shock!
Tell me about your journey to worlds.
Winning the Nationals ensured a ticket to Worlds 2023. I went there with only one competition under my belt and was rather naive as to the standard of competition. I quickly realised Europe and the US had puzzle comps all the time, so on my return I set up Speed Puzzles Australia so that there were opportunities to race for experienced puzzlers (Top Stars), or for beginners (New Stars) to learn about speed puzzling. I also teamed up with Melissa, Hannah and Rhianna to make our Worlds team, which has been a year long experience — growing friendship and camaraderie, racing and chatting all things puzzling. This has been a highlight of my year.
How does it feel to be the 7th fastest puzzler in the world?
I’m not sure if it’s being 7th, or tying for that place with 2022 and 2023 World Champion Alejandro Clemente Leon that is most surreal. I had trained extensively in the lead up to this year’s event, with the goal of making the podium (top 10) but knowing there were almost twice as many competitors as last year I wasn’t sure this would happen. My semi round was not as good as I was hoping so I started the final out of position 61, on a shared table alongside Canadian champion Devon Donaldson. Importantly though, I didn’t let this discourage me – I knew my best was good enough, I just needed to puzzle my best! I also enjoy ‘racing’ someone next to me so in hindsight it may have been a blessing. The puzzle was a good one for me and I quickly got into my groove but was so relieved when I’d finished. I thought I’d managed top 10 but wasn’t 100% sure until I walked off the floor.
How often do you practice in the lead up to a competition?
I spent every spare minute since January training for Worlds. It is not unusual for me to complete three or four 1000s and twelve 500-piece puzzles a week. I also commit time to exercise, weight training, goal setting and mindfulness.
What tips do you have for other aspiring speed puzzlers?
The best advice I was given was to film yourself puzzling. You will see so many ways in which you can improve. I also like to remind my New Stars to keep all their loose pieces under control, and neatly together.
I encourage anyone considering competing at an event, irrespective of your speed or ability, to give it a go. The speed puzzling community is wonderfully supportive, even on the world stage – after all, we’re not really competing against each other, but we have a common goal – overcoming the challenge of the puzzle placed in front of us.
Katrina was one of many Aussies competing at Worlds, some of whom also made it to the podium.
Melissa Townsend and Hannah Farthing came 10th in pairs and the Aussie All-Stars team came 6th in Teams (pictured below from left to right: Melissa Townsend, Rhianna Eriksen, Hannah Farthing and Katrina Coleman).
