Six-year-old Lian Yunzhi redefines speedcubing with sub-4.5 second averages

Key points

• Lian Yunzhi, known as Zhizhi, broke the women’s 3x3 average world record twice in three days, posting times of 4.52 seconds and 4.27 seconds.
• The records were set at World Cube Association-certified events in Wuhan on September 13 and Guangzhou on September 16.
• Zhizhi began training at age four, initially as one of several extracurricular activities, before her parents focused on speedcubing due to its cognitive benefits.
• She practices two to three hours on weekdays and up to six hours on weekends, often attending competitions to socialize and unwind.
• Her mother, Lin Yangxi, emphasizes that the activity builds concentration, memory, and logical thinking, rather than aiming for a professional career.

Background

Our archive from September 23 and 24 confirms the rapid succession of these record-breaking performances, noting that Yunzhi’s achievements were widely covered as a significant milestone in competitive puzzle solving. The current date is September 26, 2026, a few days after the final record was set.

How outlets are covering it

The Guardian provides the most detailed account of Yunzhi’s training regimen, highlighting a previous plateau where her times stalled for months before a specialist coach in Shanghai helped her master over 1,300 formulas. The Washington Post and CBS News focus on the factual timeline of the records, citing CCTV and noting that she is the first female speedcuber to average under 4.5 seconds. While all sources agree on the times and locations, the Guardian uniquely details the family’s decision to prioritize cubing over other activities like dancing and gymnastics, framing it as a tool for developing grit and perseverance rather than a path to professional sport.

Why it matters

Yunzhi’s achievement highlights the extreme dedication required in niche competitive sports and the role of early childhood training in achieving world-class performance. It also underscores the global attention given to young prodigies in China, where such feats are often framed as evidence of national educational rigor and cognitive development.

What to watch

Yunzhi will likely continue competing in World Cube Association events to maintain her record and potentially improve her times. Her parents have indicated they will support her as long as she remains happy, but do not expect her to pursue speedcubing as a lifelong career.