6-Year-Old Chinese Girl Sets Women's Rubik's Cube World Record

Lian Yunzhi, a 6-year-old from Chengdu, China, became the first female speedcuber to average under 4.5 seconds, setting a new women's world record with times of 4.52 and 4.27 seconds at World Cube Association-certified competitions in Wuhan and Guangzhou. Beginning at age 4, she has mastered over 1,300 solving algorithms through intensive daily practice with specialist coaches.

Quick Facts

Set women's world record for 3x3x3 Rubik's Cube average solving time
First female speedcuber to average under 4.5 seconds
Broke record twice in three days at two competitions
Mastered over 1,300 solving algorithms
Trains 2-3 hours on weekdays, up to 6 hours on weekends

Lian Yunzhi, a 6-year-old from Chengdu, China, has become the first female speedcuber to achieve an average solving time under 4.5 seconds. According to state broadcaster CCTV and confirmed by the World Cube Association, Lian set the record at two certified competitions in September 2026: first with an average of 4.52 seconds at an event in Wuhan on September 16, then improving to 4.27 seconds at a competition in Guangzhou on September 16. In individual attempts, she has solved the 3x3x3 cube in under 4 seconds, with one attempt recorded at 3.54 seconds.

Lian began solving Rubik's Cubes at age 4 as one of several extracurricular activities alongside dance, painting, and gymnastics. Her initial attempts took approximately 90 seconds. After several months of training, she reached an eight-second average but encountered a plateau lasting three to four months with no improvement. Her breakthrough came after her parents enrolled her with specialist coaches in Shanghai. She has since mastered over 1,300 solving algorithms and now trains two to three hours on weekdays and up to six hours on weekends in preparation for competitions.

Her mother, Lin Yangxi, noted that Lian's confidence has increased substantially since beginning competition. Lin described the initial period as challenging, stating that both parents and child considered quitting during the improvement plateau. Lin emphasized that speedcubing develops concentration, memory, logical thinking, and spatial awareness rather than mere formula memorization. She acknowledged monitoring Lian's eyesight for signs of myopia, common in China among children engaged in visually intensive activities.

Lian's achievement has gained significant attention at her school, with older students reportedly seeking her autograph. Most weekends are spent at speedcubing competitions, which Lin described as opportunities for Lian to unwind and socialize with peers. While Lin does not envision a professional speedcubing career for her daughter, she stated that the sport fosters grit and perseverance applicable to future pursuits.

Topics

Sports World

#speedcubing #world record #women's record #China #child prodigy #Chengdu #Rubik's Cube #Lian Yunzhi #World Cube Association

Entities

Why This Matters

Lian's record represents the first female speedcuber to achieve an average solving time under 4.5 seconds for the 3×3×3 Rubik's Cube, a measurable competitive milestone in the World Cube Association's official rankings. The achievement has practical implications for youth competitive speedcubing participation, coaching methodology development (she trained with specialist coaches in Shanghai), and awareness of cognitive development activities in China. Her progress from 90-second solving times to sub-4-second performances demonstrates documented training effects that may inform extracurricular activity design for children aged 4–6.

Timeline & Sources

Sep 16, 2026

Wire

Lian sets women's world record average of 4.52 seconds at World Cube Association competition in Wuhan

Sep 16, 2026

Wire

Lian improves record to 4.27 seconds average at World Cube Association competition in Guangzhou