A resident from the Greater Toronto Area has recently emerged victorious in the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship within the over 60 category, making her the first Canadian to achieve this feat.
Vicki Richardson’s passion for puzzles dates back to her childhood, where she would sit with her father and collaborate on solving puzzles. Little did she know that years later, she would be representing Canada in a puzzle championship held in Spain.
Expressing her excitement, Richardson mentioned in an interview with CBC Radio’s Metro Morning that standing on the podium as a Canadian was a proud and surreal experience for her.
After pausing her puzzle hobby during her late teens to focus on education and family, Richardson rediscovered her love for puzzles upon retirement in April 2023. Joining the Canadian Jigsaw Puzzle Association, she now enjoys solving puzzles with her daughter and passing on the tradition to her grandchildren.
Participating in the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship held in Valladolid, Spain, Richardson emphasized the rigorous nature of the event, where speed puzzlers from around the world are timed and ranked. She completed a specially designed 500-piece puzzle within an hour, a task that led her to international recognition.
Reflecting on her puzzle-solving journey, Richardson attributes her success to continuous practice and dedication. She typically completes 500-piece puzzles in just 40 minutes due to her extensive training routine.
Richardson’s daughter, Tracy Nonomura, expressed immense pride in her mother’s championship victory, highlighting the effort Richardson invested in preparation for the competition. The duo planned the trip on short notice, reminiscing about Richardson’s lifelong passion for puzzles.
Further emphasizing the cognitive benefits of puzzles, experts suggest that engaging in mentally stimulating activities like jigsaw puzzles can help maintain cognitive abilities as individuals age. Maintaining an active and engaged mindset is recommended for healthy aging, as age should not limit one’s pursuit of activities that stimulate the mind and body.