6-year-old in China sets women's Rubik's Cube world record
Outlets agree on the record time but differ on how the achievement is described, from a straightforward result to a twice-broken milestone.
What happened
Lian Yunzhi, a six-year-old girl from China, set the women's world record for solving a Rubik's Cube.135
She solved five Rubik's Cubes in an average time of 4.27 seconds.235
The Washington Post reported the record was set at a World Cube Association-certified competition that took place the previous week.3
According to The Times of India, Lian broke the women's world record twice within three days.4
What's agreed
Reported consistently by outlets in more than one region.
Where accounts differ
Each account is attributed to who makes it. We do not judge between them.
Whether the record was broken twice within three days
How it's framed
What each perspective puts first, based on headlines and summaries.
| Perspective | How it reads | What it puts first |
|---|---|---|
| North American outletsNorth America | Present the record in a factual, understated manner, focusing on the numerical result and the certifying body.35 | 4.27-second average, World Cube Association certification, factual tone |
| European public broadcasterEurope | Frames the event with celebratory language, presenting it as a notable feat worth highlighting to viewers.1 | age of the record-holder, celebratory framing |
| Latin American privately owned outletLatin America | Emphasizes the speed and repeatability of the solves, describing the sequence of attempts in narrative form.2 | sub-five-second solve, repeated feat |
| South Asian privately owned outletSouth Asia | Highlights a claim that the record was broken twice in a short span, framing it as an escalating achievement.4 | record broken twice in 3 days, introduces Lian Yunzhi by name |
What the coverage leaves out
- None of the outlets reviewed reported details of the competition venue, the previous record holder, or the margin by which the record was broken.
- None of the outlets reviewed included comments from Lian Yunzhi, her family, or competition officials.
Why it matters
The record was set at a World Cube Association-certified event, the body that officially recognizes speedcubing records.3
Sources (5)
Every outlet we drew on, grouped by where it is based. Read the originals for the full reporting.
North America
- 3The Washington PostUSPrivate
- 5The New York TimesUSPrivate
Latin America
- 2Folha de S.PauloBRPrivate
6-year-old girl sets record for Rubik's cube solving; 4.27 seconds
Translated from Portuguese: Menina de 6 anos estabele recorde de resolução de cubo mágico; 4,27 segundos
Europe
- 1France 24FRPublic broadcaster