Competitors love 'addictive' sport of speedcubing

The sport involves solving Rubik's cubes as quickly as possible – and is beloved by youngsters.

Benji and Charlie, both young boys with blond hair, at the speedcubing event. They are both holding a Rubik's cube and smiling at the camera.
Benji and Charlie, both 11, at a speedcubing event in Devon [BBC]

Competitors of all ages have spoken of their love of speedcubing – solving the Rubik's cube and its variants as quickly as possible.

Among those hoping to show off their skills in Honiton, Devon, was Taylor, 12, who described the sport as "addictive".

He travelled from Bournemouth for the two-day Devon Winter Speed Cubing competition. "It's the satisfaction of getting them solved again and learning the algorithms," Taylor said.

"Also turning it and trying to get faster, better and beat your personal best times."

Taylor, a young boy with light brown hair, looking to the side of the camera. He is smiling and wearing a black hoody jumper.
Taylor enjoys the thrill of improving at speedcubing [BBC]

AJ Nicholls, from the UK Cube Association, organised the event.

Other than completing different types of cubes, competitors can enter side events such as solving a cube one-handed or blindfolded, Nicholls said.

"[Competitors] memorise the cube, put on a blindfold and try and execute a solution without looking at it," he said.

"Sometimes it doesn't work but sometimes it does."

AJ Nicholls, a middle-aged man, smiling at the camera. He has a dark beard and is wearing a red T-shirt. He is standing in front of people sitting down inside a hall.
AJ Nicholls organised the event in Honiton [BBC]

Speedcubing is recognised as a sport and has an international governing body, the World Cube Association.

Nicholls said everyone was welcome to the competitions.

"We try and make this as much as an inclusive environment as possible," he added.

"Everyone's treated the same."

A person solving a Rubik's cube. There is a timer in front of it. The person is using two hands to solve the cube and is wearing a black jumper.
Competitors of all ages are welcomed at speedcubing events [BBC]

Charlie, 11, from Torquay, also competed in Honiton. He said he began the sport when he was seven and has entered four competitions in total.

He completed a Skewb, similar to a Rubik's cube, in 16 seconds – which he said was not "that good".

"I usually average about 12 seconds," Charlie said.

But he added: "The competitions give you a chance to beat more personal records and meet the community."

Benji, also 11 and from Torquay, also enjoyed attending the competition.

He said he was one of the judges looking out for "illegal moves" such as corner twists.

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Category: General Sports