Three puzzle cubes juggled and solved simultaneously to break record

By Connie Suggitt
Published
split image of rotating puzzle cubes being solved while juggling

The record for the fastest time to solve three rotating puzzle cubes whilst juggling has been broken yet again. Li Zhihao (China) from Xiamen, Fujian, China, achieved an unbelievable time of 3 min 29.29 sec on 29 July 2022.

In the five years since this record was first set, it is the first instance of the time dipping under three and a half minutes.  

Li Zhihao is a rotating puzzle cube enthusiast and holds various other Guinness World Records titles related to cubing. 

It also isn’t the first time he has solved rotating puzzle cubes while doing other things. He has broken records solving the puzzles while upside down, with one hand and even underwater! 

Li's other records are as follows:

  • Most rotating puzzle cubes solved whilst suspended upside down (195)
  • Most rotating puzzle cubes solved using one hand while suspended upside down (104)
  • Fastest time to solve a rotating puzzle cube (3x3x3) by a team of two (12.59 sec, with Ye Jiaxi)
  • Fastest time to solve a rotating puzzle cube (3x3x3) by a team of two under water (18.93 sec, with Ye Jiaxi)

The record for the fastest time to solve three rotating puzzle cubes whilst juggling requires focus, dexterity and memory - while working against the clock. It adds another layer of difficulty to the traditional puzzle solve.

Li Zhihao solving puzzle cubes while juggling

What is the limit to how fast a human can solve a Rubik’s cube?

This record, incorporating both juggling and puzzle solving, has been hotly contested over the last few years, with cubers keen to show off their multitasking skills. 

The history of the record

  • 2017 – This record was first set five years ago in China by Que Jianyu with a time of 5 min 6.61 sec. The attempt happened on the set of the iDream of China TV Show in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, on 23 December. The video of Que's record went viral, amassing over 342 million views on Facebook alone! 
  • 2018 – The following year, Que Jianyu stepped into the limelight yet again to attempt the record on another TV show, this time La Notte dei Record, filmed in Rome, Italy, on 17 November. Que shaved just over four seconds off his time, completing the trick in 5 min 2.43 sec. 
  • 2021 –  Two and a half years later, on 29 May 2021, Que’s time was bettered by Angel Alvarado (Colombia), who solved the cubes in 4 min 52.43 sec.
  • 2022, April – Just under a year later, Angel took 20 seconds off of his own time with a new record of 4 min 31.01 sec, achieved on 1 April.
  • 2022, July – Li Zhihao (China) takes the record under the three and a half minute mark for the first time, with 3 min 29.29 sec. The attempt took place in Xiamen, Fujian, China, on 29 July 2022.