Retired policeman Zhang Zhenqing: A Rubik's cube player for 40 years and set three world records
2024-01-15Mr. Zhang Zhenqing, a native of Henan Province, is a retired police officer in Guangzhou. He has become a high-profile figure for his outstanding achievements in the field of Rubik's cube. Looking back on his 40 years of Rubik's cube career, he is not only a skilled Rubik's cube player, but also successfully applied for a number of world records.
Zhang Zhenqing's love affair with the Rubik's Cube began in 1982 when the cube just entered in China. By chance, he received a Rubik's cube from his colleagues and was teased by his colleagues: "This thing can not be restored if it is disrupted." Not to be outdone, he decided to find out. He deliberately bought a Rubik's cube textbook written by a foreigner and successfully restored a randomly disrupted Rubik's cube the next day after reading it all night. "He just loved to read and study," recalled his wife, Shin Jin-young. Subsequently, Zhang Zhenqing actively participated in various Rubik's cube competitions and rarely met opponents.
In December 2023, Zhang Zhenqing successfully applied for three world records for the most Chinese characters, slogans, and characters in different levels of 14, 17, and 21 after the British Forbes World Records certification (FWRC).
In September 2019, he used the 14th Rubik's Cube to turn two Chinese characters on six faces, totaling 34 characters to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. On September 7 of the same year, he used the 17th Rubik's cube to turn out two Chinese characters on six faces, totaling 30 characters to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. In January 2022, he used the 21st Rubik's cube to turn out two Chinese characters on six faces, a total of 40 words, to meet the victory of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China with practical action.
Zhang Zhenqing created the Chinese Rubik's Cube formula so that people around them learn how to play the Rubik's cube faster. This innovation not only enriched Rubik's cube play, but also earned his grandson an award for it.
In a segment titled Sunset Red on CCTV's Social and Legal channel (CCTV-12), Zhang Zhenqing said he wanted to continue documenting his life by turning the Rubik's cube into Chinese characters. His story has inspired countless people and shows a life still full of passion and creativity in old age.
Mr. Zhang Zhenqing's 40-year journey through the Rubik's Cube is not only a story of personal achievement but also a vivid illustration of persistence, innovation and passion. His efforts and achievements will continue to inspire more people to pursue their dreams in all fields.
