Science 15 sources · over 2 days Latest coverage 23 Sept 2026, 7:44 pm UTC

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

Lian Yunzhi, a six-year-old from China, became the first female competitor to average under 4.5 seconds solving the Rubik's Cube, drawing global attention to her remarkable achievement.

By Priya Raghunathan · First published 23 Sept 2026

In brief

  1. Lian Yunzhi, a six-year-old Chinese girl, has set a new women's Rubik's Cube world record for the 3x3 puzzle.
  2. She achieved an average solve time of 4.27 seconds across five attempts at a certified competition.
  3. Lian broke the record twice within three days during events held in Wuhan and Guangzhou.
  4. Her accomplishment makes her the youngest and first female speedcuber to achieve an average under 4.5 seconds.
  5. The story has sparked widespread interest and recognition from both Chinese and international media.
Six-Year-Old Lian Yunzhi Sets Rubik's Cube Women's World Record Twice in Three Days
Source: CBS Top Stories

Timeline · 5 moments

5 moments Open the full timeline →

Six-year-old Lian Yunzhi becomes first female to average under 4.5 seconds

CBS Top Stories ↗

Lian Yunzhi breaks the Rubik's Cube women's world record in Wuhan

Daily Mail ↗

Lian Yunzhi's daily training and mastery of 1,300 algorithms revealed

Sydney Morning Herald ↗

Lian Yunzhi sets new average time of 4.27 seconds at certified event

NYT World News ↗

World Cube Association confirms Lian's record at major competition

Washington Post World ↗

How it started

Lian Yunzhi began practicing the Rubik's Cube at a very young age. She reportedly spent two to three hours every day honing her skills. Over the past year, she learned more than 1,300 cube-solving algorithms, showing remarkable dedication for her age. Her interest in speedcubing quickly grew, leading her to participate in competitive events across China.

How it unfolded

In September 2026, Lian entered competitions in the Chinese cities of Wuhan and Guangzhou. According to multiple reports, she broke the women's Rubik's Cube world record twice within three days, a feat rarely seen in the sport.

On September 22, Chinese state media and several international outlets reported that Lian had become the first female competitor to achieve an average solve time under 4.5 seconds in official competition. The events were certified by the World Cube Association, ensuring her times were recognized globally.

Lian's record-setting performances involved solving the 3x3 Rubik's Cube five times, with her average time clocking in at 4.27 seconds. This achievement surpassed all previous women's records and made her the youngest person to reach such speeds. Her rapid progress and back-to-back records have captured attention far beyond the speedcubing community.

Media coverage has highlighted both her technical skill and her intense daily practice routine, with reports noting her mastery of hundreds of algorithms. The back-to-back records in two major Chinese cities solidified her reputation as a prodigy in the field.

Where it stands

Lian Yunzhi's record has now been widely recognized as the new women's world record for the 3x3 Rubik's Cube. Her achievement stands out not just for her age but also for the speed with which she accomplished it, breaking the record twice in less than a week.

She continues to receive praise from both Chinese and international media, with her story inspiring young speedcubers around the world. There are no immediate challengers reported, and her time of 4.27 seconds is now the benchmark for female competitors.

What to watch

Observers are keen to see whether Lian Yunzhi will continue to lower her own record or if other young speedcubers will rise to challenge her. Her rapid improvement suggests she could set even faster times in upcoming competitions. The international speedcubing community will be watching future events closely for further breakthroughs from Lian and her peers.

Written from 15 outlets' coverage of this story. Every timeline entry links to the original report.

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