A six-year-old girl from Chengdu, China, has established a new women’s world record for solving the 3×3 Rubik’s Cube, according to state media reports published Tuesday. Lian Yunzhi, known by the nickname “Zhizhi,” achieved this milestone by breaking the existing record twice within a span of three days at two competitions certified by the World Cube Association.
Competing in Wuhan and Guangzhou, Lian recorded solution averages of 4.52 seconds and 4.27 seconds, respectively. These figures were calculated based on five separate solves, with the final average of 4.27 seconds marking the latest world standard. CCTV reported that she is the first female speedcuber in history to maintain an average solution time below 4.5 seconds.
Broadcast footage showed the young competitor, distinguished by a red gingham bow in her hair, manipulating the puzzle with notable dexterity. Upon completing her final solve, she set the cube down on the table, clapped her hands, and pumped her fist in celebration.
Her mother, Lin Yangxi, revealed to local outlets that Lian was initially introduced to cubing through an extracurricular class she attended alongside dance and music lessons. Observing the cognitive benefits of the puzzle, Lin gradually shifted her daughter’s focus primarily toward speedcubing.
Lian now practices for two to three hours daily and has mastered more than 1,300 solving algorithms. Her mother emphasized that the activity cultivates essential skills beyond simple memorization.
“Solving a Rubik’s Cube improves focus, memory, logical thinking, spatial awareness, and helps develop a healthy mindset toward winning and losing,” Lin stated. She further noted that the process requires using logical reasoning to discover optimal solutions rather than blindly applying formulas.
Images released by Chengdu’s Red Star News depict Lian’s trophies displayed on a shelf at her home, alongside photos of her practicing at the kitchen table with her parents watching.
https://prod.vodvideo.cbsnews.com/cbsnews/vr/hls/3881134_hls/master.m3u8
I hope her parents don’t push too hard. Childhood is about play too; hopefully, this stays fun and doesn’t become pressure.
Wait, she learns over a thousand algorithms? My five-year-old can barely tie his shoes. This is next level dedication.
Four seconds is insane for a grown adult, let alone a six-year-old. Incredible discipline and focus at that age.