Six-Year-Old Chinese Girl Sets Women’s Rubik’s Cube World Record With 4.27-Second Average

Six-year-old Chinese speedcuber Lian Yunzhi has broken the women’s 3x3 Rubik’s Cube world record, solving the puzzle in an average of 4.27 seconds at a competition in Guangzhou.

The Chengdu-born girl, known as Zhizhi, set the record at a World Cube Association event on September 16, beating the previous mark of 4.52 seconds that she had established earlier in the month.

Six-Year-Old Breaks Her Own Record

Zhizhi’s achievement came after a series of rapid improvements in competitive speedcubing. She has also completed individual solves in less than four seconds.

Her mother, Lin Yangxi, described the record as a “dream come true” for her daughter, saying Zhizhi was overjoyed that her training had paid off. The achievement has also made her a familiar face at school, with older students reportedly visiting her classroom to ask for autographs.

From A Hobby At Four To World Record

Zhizhi began learning speedcubing at the age of four after her mother enrolled her in classes. At the time, it was one of several extracurricular activities she pursued, alongside dancing, painting and gymnastics.

After several months of practice, however, her progress stalled. Her average time reached about eight seconds but remained there for three to four months, leaving the family considering whether to stop.

A specialist coach in Shanghai later helped change her progress. Zhizhi learned more than 1,300 Rubik’s Cube formulas, after which her solving times improved sharply.

Up To Six Hours Of Practice At Weekends

Zhizhi now combines kindergarten studies with intensive speedcubing training.

She spends around two to three hours practising on weekdays and up to six hours at weekends. Many weekends also involve competitions, which her mother said give her a chance to step away from regular training and meet friends.

Her mother said the family initially worried that Zhizhi was missing out on playtime compared with other children. But the young speedcuber later told her parents that working towards her own goals made her happy.

Parents Focus On Skills Beyond Speedcubing

Zhizhi’s family does not necessarily expect her to pursue speedcubing as a career.

Her mother said the activity had helped develop concentration, memory, logical thinking and spatial awareness. The family also monitors her eyesight, given concerns about myopia among children in China.

At the recent championship, her parents were nervous as she competed under pressure, but were impressed by how she handled the decisive moment.

For Zhizhi, the record has brought global attention at an unusually young age. Her mother said the discipline gained through speedcubing could help her develop perseverance and resilience, regardless of what she eventually chooses to do.