Six-Year-Old Lian Yunzhi Breaks Women's Rubik's Cube Record Twice in Three Days

Key points

• Lian Yunzhi set the women's 3x3 average world record twice in three days, posting times of 4.52 seconds in Wuhan and 4.27 seconds in Guangzhou.
• She is the first female speedcuber to average under 4.5 seconds, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.
• The girl, nicknamed 'Zhizhi,' began cubing at age four after enrolling in a class alongside dance and music lessons.
• Her mother, Lin Yangxi, stated that Lian practices two to three hours daily and has mastered more than 1,300 solving algorithms.
• The overall single-solve world record remains held by Poland's Teodor Zajder, who solved a cube in 2.76 seconds at age nine in February 2026.

Background

This achievement follows a trend of young Chinese athletes setting international records in 2026. In September, 13-year-old swimmer Yu Zidi set world junior records in the 200m individual medley at the Asian Games. Lian's success highlights a broader pattern of early specialization and intensive training in Chinese youth sports and recreational activities.

How outlets are covering it

All three outlets (CBS News, The Washington Post, and The Guardian) report the same core facts regarding the record times and locations. The Washington Post provides additional context by noting that the overall single-solve record is held by Teodor Zajder, distinguishing Lian's achievement as a women's average record. CBS and The Guardian emphasize the role of her mother in shifting her focus from other extracurriculars to cubing, highlighting the educational benefits cited by the family.

Why it matters

The record demonstrates the extreme level of skill achievable at a very young age through dedicated practice. It also reflects the growing recognition of puzzle-solving as a competitive sport that develops cognitive skills such as memory, logic, and spatial awareness, according to her mother.

What to watch

Lian Yunzhi is expected to continue competing in World Cube Association-certified events. Her mother has indicated that cubing remains a primary focus for her development, alongside other activities.