Dutch biology student wins World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship

The World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship held its final on Sunday in Valladolid, Spain, where competitors raced against the clock to complete a jigsaw puzzle none of them had ever seen before. The event brought together roughly 1,700 enthusiasts from 70 countries, and the winning solver was a biology student from the Netherlands.

According to organisers, the puzzle used in the final is kept strictly secret beforehand and only goes on public sale on the very day it is used in competition. This ensures no participant has any prior chance to study or practice with it.

Describing her reaction after finishing, the winner called the experience "pure adrenaline and chaos," adding that her hands were shaking as she waited to hear the crowd's applause.

A friendly rivalry

One volunteer at the championship noted that while competitors push each other hard during the race, they also cheer one another on throughout the event. Organisers stressed that jigsaw puzzling remains an amateur pursuit rather than a professional sport.

As a result, participants cover their own travel and accommodation costs. Many dedicated puzzlers make the trip from far away, including Japan and Australia, returning to compete year after year despite the expense involved.