An Interview with Bill Wang

7 years ago

Speedcubing Thoughts

A huge thanks to Bill Wang for giving us his time for this interview. Bill is currently one of the fastest speedcubers in the world across a host of different events. He is world class in 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, 3x3 OH, 3BLD, 4BLD, and 5BLD, and is attending his first World Championships in Paris this July.

Embedded below is his video of a 5.31 average of five solves - the fastest on YouTube. Here is a link to his Facebook page, and you can check out more videos over at his YouTube channel. Enjoy!

 



Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Bill Wang, I am 18 years old and currently living in Toronto, Canada. I am currently a university student at the University of Waterloo and I have just completed my first year of studies there. Other than cubing, my hobbies include playing soccer (or football), basketball, and working out.

When and why did you start speedcubing?

I started speedcubing in late 2010. A couple of my classmates at the time had acquired the skill of solving cubes and after seeing it happen in front of my eyes, I was immediately intrigued and I went to purchase my first cube shortly thereafter.

What’s your favourite algorithm?

My favorite algorithm is probably the Jb perm as it is probably my fastest PLL to execute in a solve. 

Do you have any goals for the upcoming World Championships in Paris? What are you looking forward to at your first Worlds?

My goal for the upcoming WC in Paris is to perform to my standards in the events that I care about (3x3, 4x4, 5x5, OH, 3BLD, 4BLD) and hopefully my performance will ultimately be enough to earn myself a podium or two. I am looking forward to meeting some of the cubers that I have never had a chance to meet before, such as Feliks, Cornelius, Nahm, Weyer bros, etc.

Would you rather break the 3x3 WR single or average, and why?

I would rather break the single WR because of the Youtube views that I would get :)

From your perspective, how has the world of speedcubing changed over the years you have been involved?

Speedcubing has grown exponentially since I started in 2010. Cubing companies are bigger, competitions are bigger, and the top-end speedcubers are getting better. Hardware has changed dramatically, the cubers are way more knowledgeable, and as a result, the records are becoming more and more unfathomable.

Do you have any thoughts or opinions on the increasing prevalence of sponsorship in speedcubing?

I think sponsorship is great as it allows fast and famous cubers to have easier access to the best hardware and to the big competitions. It also provides an added incentive for the up-and-coming cubers who wish to become sponsored one day. Sponsorship is also a mutually beneficial agreement as not only does the sponsoree benefit, but so does the company who offers the sponsorship as they are attracting more customers by using a famous figure to represent themselves.

Where do you see speedcubing in 5 years time, and where do you see yourself in that picture?

I honestly have no idea whether I will be cubing in 5 years. I guess I will have to see whether my interest is still there at that point in time. As for speedcubing as a whole, I am sure that it will continue to develop and expand and attract more people into the world of speedcubing.

If you could go back and give yourself (or anyone) one piece of speedcubing advice when they start out, what would it be?

If I could give myself one piece of advice when I started, I would tell myself to not practice as much within my first year of cubing. During that year, almost every ounce of my free time was dedicated to practicing. This led to me burning out and taking a break between late 2011 and mid 2013. If I had not practiced as much to begin with, then I probably wouldn’t have needed that break and I would’ve been continuously practicing for 6-7 years now. My guess is that in this alternate scenario, I would be faster than I am now as I would’ve had constant practice throughout my entire cubing career. 

Thoughts on this blog

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Wesley Pakulat

Wesley Pakulat Posted 7 years ago

Bill Wang is one of my favorite speed cubers. I also live in Canada and have met him at a comp.

Bence Berkenbosch

Bence Berkenbosch Posted 7 years ago

Hey, Feliks I just bought a Gan Air SM and I don't know how often I should lube it. I figure you know.

幸泽 兰

幸泽 兰 Posted 7 years ago

Hi，Feliks！I have a Rubik's Revenge, but I don't know how to slove faster. There are too many ways on the Internet. What kind of learning should I learn?

William Yang

William Yang Posted 7 years ago

Search up the reduction method it is the less algs and more intuitive

Jacob Shum

Jacob Shum Posted 7 years ago

I have a random question, but is Bill Wang Dylan's brother? 

 

Btw,  Dylan is J Perm on YT

Feliks Zemdegs

Feliks Zemdegs from CubeSkills Posted 7 years ago

Haha no, they're not related.

Silas Lickliter

Silas Lickliter Posted 6 years ago

XD it would be pretty funny if they were. Did Bill Wang set any WRs for 3x3?

Noah Marsh

Noah Marsh Posted 6 years ago

Nope! Or at least, none in the WCA history. Heres the history of all 3x3 single and avg records. He does not come up there.

Arav Jain

Arav Jain Posted 6 years ago

This interview was really fun Feliks

 

Arav Jain

Arav Jain Posted 6 years ago

Could recommend a few good cubing comps please

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