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Wang Kai-Wen, a student in the Department of Space Science and Engineering at National Central University, achieved third place in the 5x5 Rubik’s Cube event at the World Cube Association (WCA) World Championship held in Seattle, USA, this July. Selected from over 2,000 top competitors representing more than 70 countries, Wang’s performance set a new record for Taiwan’s best-ever result in the event. Currently holding 11 official national records, Wang believes that many people misunderstand the Rubik’s Cube as something solved face by face, when in fact it requires three-dimensional thinking and must be solved layer by layer—a process that brings a deep sense of accomplishment and joy upon completion.
Now 21 years old, Wang has competed in numerous WCA World Championships, breaking Taiwanese records 60 times and Asian records 12 times. In 2024, he won the 5x5 Asian Champion title at the WCA Asian Championship in Malaysia. However, he recalls that during the 2023 World Championship, excessive nervousness affected his performance. From that experience, he learned the importance of maintaining composure and confidence, and of not dwelling too much on mistakes—lessons that have since helped him perform at his best.
At this year’s World Championship, Wang—who competed as an amateur—faced a skill gap compared to the top two professional cubers. Yet, he says the most rewarding part of the competition was meeting like-minded friends who share his passion.
Wang expressed gratitude to his mother, whose book first planted the seed of his interest, and to his father, who has accompanied and supported him from local to international competitions. For him, the Rubik’s Cube is more than just a test of hand-eye coordination—it is also a way to cultivate perseverance, mental focus, and mutual encouragement among those who share the same enthusiasm.
