What is speedcubing?
Speedcubing is the sport of solving twisty puzzles, most famously the Rubik’s Cube, as quickly and accurately as possible. While the classic 3×3×3 Rubik’s Cube is the most popular event, speedcubing also includes many other puzzles, such as 2×2, 4×4, 5×5, Pyraminx, Skewb, Megaminx and Square-1.
Competitors learn and practice specialized solving methods, algorithms, finger-tricks and recognition techniques to reduce their solving times. At the highest level, a solve can take only a few seconds, with competitors relying on a combination of memory, pattern recognition, planning, precision and extremely fast hand movements.
Speedcubing is not simply about turning a cube quickly. Competitors must be able to recognize the state of the puzzle, plan their solutions and execute algorithms accurately under pressure. Official competitions also use standardized rules and timing procedures, making results comparable between competitors around the world.
What is the WCA?
The World Cube Association (WCA) is the international organization that governs official speedcubing competitions. It establishes the regulations used at competitions, recognizes official events and records, and works with organizers and delegates around the world to ensure competitions are conducted fairly and consistently.
The WCA currently recognizes a wide range of official events, including different sizes of Rubik’s Cubes, Pyraminx, Skewb, Megaminx, Square-1 and several blindfolded and other specialized solving events.
At an official WCA competition, competitors follow the same standardized procedures regardless of where the competition takes place. Solves are performed using official timing equipment, and results are recorded in the WCA’s worldwide results database.
This means that a result achieved at a competition in Estonia can be directly compared with a result achieved at a competition in Japan, the United States or anywhere else in the world.
The WCA also maintains world rankings, continental rankings and national rankings, as well as official world, continental and national records. This gives speedcubing a global competitive structure, from a person's first competition all the way to the international elite.
In short, speedcubing is the sport, while the WCA provides the rules and structure that make official international competition possible.
Register for WCA competitions here:
https://www.worldcubeassociation.org/competitions?
Useful videos before competing:
How Speedcubing Competitions Work (Part I)