Theo is a Rubik’s master
Gifted pupil can solve puzzle in under one minute
A child prodigy left his teachers and fellow pupils flabbergasted as he solved a Rubik’s Cube in under one minute.
Whizz kid Theo Macaulay astonished his P5 class as he zipped through the 3D puzzle at Doonfoot Primary during a show and tell.
The nine- year- old, whose favourite subject is maths, picked up the complex cube just one month ago and now looks set to compete at a national level.
Revealing his secret to success, quick- fingered Theo told the Post: “I started trying the Rubik’s Cube around a month ago and I’ve been addicted ever since.
“Just now I have two basic ones which I’ve worn down already - it’s all about dexterity and keeping your mind sharp.
“To solve my cube I memorise algorithms, I remember all of the pieces, imagine them in my mind to where I want them to be and once I’ve scrambled it up, it’s all in my head.
“The more I practise, the faster I’m becoming.
“I have a 12- sided cube on the way. It’s a bit more complex but I am definitely up for the challenge, I practice every single day and my dream is to enter a competition for junior cubers.”
Class teacher, Jack Pullman said: “I knew he had been practising at home but when he asked me to put on a timer and completed it in under a minute we were stunned, he is a very bright young man with an exciting future ahead.”
The Rubik’s Cube was invented in 1974 by Erno Rubik, a professor of architecture in Budapest, Hungary and was originally called the ‘ Magic Cube’. It was launched worldwide in 1980 and around 400 million cubes have been sold to date.
As the youngest of four siblings, Theo, of Dunure, now hopes to overtake the world record of solving the complex puzzle.
He said: “My dream is to become the best in the world. It might be a while before that happens as I’m only starting out, but I’ve got my eye on overtaking the 4.90 second world record and I think that one day I will do it.”
Proud mum Kristina added: “Since Theo began the Rubik’s Cube, he has become so much more confident and I am so glad he has found a pastime he is truly gifted at.
“I hope that he goes on to achieve his goals. He has been encouraging other children in the school to get involved which has brought a real team spirit into his hobby. I couldn’t be any prouder of him.”