Feliks Zemdegs

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Feliks Zemdegs
Feliks Zemdegs at the Australian Nationals in Canberra in September 2013.
Feliks Zemdegs at the Australian Nationals in Canberra in September 2013.
Born (1995-12-20) 20 December 1995 (age 22)
Melbourne, Australia
Nationality Australian
Other names Faz
Known for Rubik's Cube speedsolver

Feliks A. Zemdegs (/ˈfɛlɪks ˈzɛmdɛɡz/, Latvian: Fēlikss Zemdegs; born 20 December 1995) is an Australian Rubik's Cube speedsolver.

Biography[edit]

Zemdegs has a Latvian ancestry and his maternal grandmother is Lithuanian.[1] Zemdegs bought his first speedcube in April 2008 after being inspired by speedcubing videos and tutorials on YouTube.[2] The first unofficial time he recorded was an average of 19.73 seconds on 14 June 2008.[3] He has been using CFOP to solve the 3×3×3 since he was 12 years old, the Yau method to solve the 4×4×4, the CLL method to solve the 2×2×2, and the Reduction method for 5×5×5 through 7×7×7.[citation needed]

Zemdegs won the 3×3×3 event at the first competition he attended, the New Zealand's Champs 2009 on 18 July 2009, with an average of 13.74 seconds in the final round. He also won 2×2×2, 4×4×4, 5×5×5, 3×3×3 blindfolded, and 3×3×3 one-handed.[4]

At his next competition, the Melbourne Summer Open 2010 on 30 January 2010, Zemdegs set his first world records for 3×3×3 average and 4×4×4 average, with times of 9.21 seconds and 42.01 seconds respectively. He held the 3×3×3 average world record continuously from then until 23 April 2017, improving it 8 times, eventually to 6.45 seconds. The most world records he has ever held at one time was after a competition in Melbourne in May 2011, when he held all 12 records listed in the first 12 columns of the table below. As recently as 28 January 2017, he held 11 of those records concurrently.

At the World Championship 2011 in Bangkok, Zemdegs won 2×2×2, 4×4×4, 5×5×5, and 6×6×6. He also took third in 3×3×3 after winning the first three rounds, and placed third in 7×7×7.[5] At the next world championship, World Championship 2013 in Las Vegas, Zemdegs won 3×3×3, 4×4×4, and 3×3×3 One-handed. He also placed second in 5×5×5 and third in 7×7×7.[6] At World Championship 2015 in São Paulo, Zemdegs won 3×3×3, 2×2×2, 4×4×4, and 5×5×5. He also placed second in 6×6×6, 7×7×7, and Megaminx.[7] At the World Championship 2017 in Paris, Zemdegs won 5×5×5 and 7×7×7. He also took second in 6×6×6, 3×3×3 One-handed, and Megaminx, and placed third in 4×4×4.[8]

Zemdegs has a website, CubeSkills, which includes tutorials on solving the Rubik's cube and other puzzles. There are free algorithm sheets, and some free speed solving tutorial videos. The site also offers a premium membership, which enables access to advanced speed solving videos. Members can also submit their own solving videos which Zemdegs will critique.[9]

Zemdegs has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Economics, with a breadth study track in Mechanical Engineering.[10]

Currently held world records[edit]

Following are the World Cube Association world records held by Zemdegs.[11]

Record type Result Set at
3×3×3 Single 4.22 seconds Cube for Cambodia 2018
3×3×3 Average 5.80 seconds Malaysia Cube Open 2017
3×3×3 One Handed Single 6.88 seconds Canberra Autumn 2015

Competitions attended and records set[edit]

Competition name City Date WCA world records set (records that were taken from other people are underlined, otherwise he beat his own record, underlined for case if his record was shared)
3×3×3 avg. 4×4×4 avg. 4×4×4 single One-handed avg. 5×5×5 single 5×5×5 avg. 2×2×2 avg. 3×3×3 single 6×6×6 single 6×6×6 avg. 4×4×4 blindfolded One-handed single 7×7×7 avg. 7×7×7 Single
New Zealand Champs 2009 Wellington July 2009
Melbourne Summer Open 2010 Melbourne January 2010 9.21 42.01
Melbourne Winter Open 2010 Melbourne June 2010
New Zealand Champs 2010 Wellington July 2010 8.52 35.55
Australian Nationals 2010 Melbourne September 2010 14.76 1:02.93 1:07.59
Asian Championship 2010 Bangkok October 2010 34.72, 34.41 2.35
Melbourne Cube Day 2010 Melbourne November 2010 7.91 39.73,35.80 31.97 2.12 7.03, 6.77
Melbourne Summer Open 2011 Melbourne January 2011 7.87 1:01.59 1:07.01 6.65 2:05.88 2:15.64 3:37.80
Kubaroo Open 2011 Melbourne May 2011 31.05 14.41 6.65,6.24 11.16
Melbourne Winter Open 2011 Melbourne June 2011 7.64 30.88 6.18, 5.66
Australian Nationals 2011 Melbourne August 2011 30.28 1:00.27 1:04.20 1:56.96
World Championship 2011 Bangkok October 2011 35.33, 35.22 59.27, 56.22 59.94
Melbourne Cube Day 2011 Melbourne November 2011
3×3×3 avg. 4×4×4 avg. 4×4×4 single One-handed avg. 5×5×5 single 5×5×5 avg. 2×2×2 avg. 3×3×3 single 6×6×6 single 6×6×6 avg. 4×4×4 blindfolded One-handed single 7×7×7 avg. 7×7×7 Single
Melbourne Summer 2012 Melbourne February 2012 34.82 57.94
Australian Nationals 2012 Melbourne September 2012 7.53 26.75 51.31, 51.09 57.64
Melbourne Cube Day 2012 Melbourne November 2012 57.63
Cupcake Cubing 2013 Melbourne May 2013
Shepparton Winter 2013 Shepparton June 2013 25.34
World Championship 2013 Las Vegas July 2013
Australian Nationals 2013 Canberra September 2013 7.49 50.50 56.87 2:52.09
Melbourne Cube Day 2013 Melbourne November 2013 6.54 55.33 9.05
Lifestyle Seasons Summer 2014 Melbourne January 2014 24.66 9.03
Melbourne Summer 2014 Melbourne February 2014
Shepparton Autumn 2014 Shepparton March 2014
Northpark Adelaide 2014 Adelaide April 2014
Melbourne Winter 2014 Melbourne June 2014
US Nationals 2014 Jersey City August 2014 48.42 2:48.16
Australian Nationals 2014 Sydney August 2014 55.10
Melbourne Cube Day 2014 Melbourne November 2014
Johannesburg 2014 Johannesburg November 2014
Cape Town 2014 Cape Town November 2014
Niddrie 2014 Melbourne December 2014 11.72 54.20
3×3×3 avg. 4×4×4 avg. 4×4×4 single One-handed avg. 5×5×5 single 5×5×5 avg. 2×2×2 avg. 3×3×3 single 6×6×6 single 6×6×6 avg. 4×4×4 blindfolded One-handed single 7×7×7 avg. 7×7×7 Single
Lifestyle Seasons Summer 2015 Melbourne January 2015
Melbourne Autumn 2015 Melbourne March 2015
Canberra Autumn 2015 Canberra May 2015 6.88
TCG & Friends Arequipa 2015 Arequipa July 2015
TCG & Friends 2015 Lima July 2015 51.93 1:47.60
World Championship 2015 São Paulo July 2015 2:33.73 2:23.55
China Championship 2015 Guangzhou October 2015 21.54 47.25 50.23
Melbourne Cube Day 2015 Melbourne November 2015 46.97 50.15 1:43.83 2:30.14
Sydney Summer 2015 Sydney December 2015
Live Your Dream 2016 Irapuato January 2016
Cubing Classic 2016 Melbourne March 2016 44.83
Melbourne Autumn 2016 Melbourne April 2016
Connor's Cube Day 2016 Melbourne May 2016
WLS Lato 2016 Warsaw July 2016 6.45
Euro 2016 Prague July 2016 10.70 49.32 1:43.21 2:25.06 2:20.66
Australian Nationals 2016 Sydney August 2016
Melbourne Cube Days 2016 Melbourne November 2016 41.27 1:37.85
POPS Open 2016 Melbourne December 2016 4.73
Sydney Championship 2016 Sydney December 2016 1:32.47 2:22.55
3×3×3 avg. 4×4×4 avg. 4×4×4 single One-handed avg. 5×5×5 single 5×5×5 avg. 2×2×2 avg. 3×3×3 single 6×6×6 single 6×6×6 avg. 4×4×4 blindfolded One-handed single 7×7×7 avg. 7×7×7 Single
Adelaide Summer 2017 Adelaide January 2017 25.97 1:27.85 1:34.68
Cubing Classic 2017 Melbourne March 2017 2:18.13
Cube for Cambodia 2017 Melbourne May 2017
LatAm Tour -
Santiago 2017		 Santiago June 2017
LatAm Tour -
Montevideo 2017		 Montevideo June 2017 2:21.81
LatAm Tour -
Cochabamba 2017		 Cochabamba June 2017 2:18.96
LatAm Tour -
Arequipa 2017		 Arequipa June 2017 19.36
LatAm Tour -
Lima 2017		 Lima June 2017
LatAm Tour -
Chia 2017		 Chia June 2017 5.97 41.24 47.88
LatAm Tour -
Guatemala 2017		 Guatemala July 2017
LatAm Tour -
Santo Domingo 2017		 Santo Domingo July 2017
London Open 2017 London July 2017 1:20.37 1:28.51 2:18.65 2:14.09
World Championship 2017 Paris July 2017 38.52 46.24 1:20.03 1:27.79 2:15.07 2:06.73
China's 10th Anniversary Championship 2017 Guangzhou October 2017 46.13 2:14.04
Malaysia Cube Open 2017 Kuala Lumpur October 2017 5.80 10.21 45.64
Canberra Spring 2017 Canberra October 2017
Melbourne Cube Days 2017 Melbourne November 2017 43.21
Sydney Championship 2017 Sydney December 2017
3×3×3 avg. 4×4×4 avg. 4×4×4 single One-handed avg. 5×5×5 single 5×5×5 avg. 2×2×2 avg. 3×3×3 single 6×6×6 single 6×6×6 avg. 4×4×4 blindfolded One-handed single 7×7×7 avg. 7×7×7 Single
Adelaide Summer 2018 Adelaide January 2018
Hobart Summer 2018 Hobart January 2018 4.59
ASFA Speedcubing 2018 Melbourne March 2018
Perth Autumn 2018 Perth April 2018
Canberra Autumn 2018 Canberra April 2018 37.93
Cube for Cambodia 2018 Melbourne May 2018 4.22
Melbourne Winter 2018 Melbourne June 2018
WCCT LA 2018 Tustin July 2018
WCCT Fresno 2018 Fresno July 2018
WCCT Cupertino 2018 Cupertino July 2018
West Coast Cubing Tour - Reno 2018 Reno July 2018
SnoCo Summer 2018 Seattle July 2018
CubingUSA Nationals 2018 Salt Lake City July 2018
Asian Championship 2018 New Taipei August 2018
Horsham Winter 2018 Horsham August 2018

Media appearances[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Latviešu izcelsmes austrālietis Zemdegs kļūst par divkārtējo pasaules čempionu Rubika kuba salikšanā (Latvian-Australian Zemdegs becomes two-time world champion in Rubik's Cube speedsolving)" (in Latvian). Lsm.lv. 22 July 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2018. 
  2. ^ Saunokonoko, Mark (11 September 2015). "Feliks Zemdegs: cracking the Rubik's Cube". Retrieved 11 September 2015. 
  3. ^ "First posted average". 
  4. ^ "New Zealand Championships 2009 results". 18 July 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2015. 
  5. ^ "Worlds 2011 podiums". 
  6. ^ "Worlds 2013 podiums". 
  7. ^ "Worlds 2015 podiums". 
  8. ^ "Worlds 2017 podiums". 
  9. ^ "Cubeskills.com". 
  10. ^ https://www.cubeskills.com/about
  11. ^ "Feliks Zemdegs record page". worldcubeassociation.org. Retrieved 15 January 2018. 
  12. ^ Masanauskas, John (2 June 2009). "Melbourne schoolboy a Rubik's Cube genius". Herald Sun. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
  13. ^ "Rubik's cube craze sweeps NZ (1:40)". Television New Zealand. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
  14. ^ "Rubik's cubers a breed apart". The Dominion Post. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2011. 
  15. ^ Bruce, Kate (21 January 2010). "All-of-a-twist up to persist in Armadale – People – News – Stonnington Leader". Stonnington Leader. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  16. ^ King, Simon (17 July 2010). "Golfers line up for bad boys' club". The Australian. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  17. ^ Masanauskas, John (21 July 2010). "Melbourne schoolboy Feliks Zemdegs the 'Usain Bolt' of Rubik's cube". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  18. ^ AAP (26 July 2010). "Australia's Rubik Cube World Champion | National | Australia". Epoch Times. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  19. ^ "Can you Cube it? Feliks can". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 4 February 2011. 
  20. ^ Nolan, Kellee (27 July 2010). "Feliks speeds his way to top of the cubist world". The Age. Melbourne. 
  21. ^ Younger, Emma. "MULTIMEDIA: Fingers fly at the National Rubik's Cube competition – Arts & Entertainment – Lifestyle – Melbourne Leader". Melbourne Leader. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  22. ^ "Feliks Zemdegs – Rubiks cube – National IQ test Channel 9 9 November 2010". YouTube. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  23. ^ Lin, Anne (16 November 2010). "Aussie teen breaks Rubik's cube record". ninemsn. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 2 September 2015. 
  24. ^ Spurr, Chris (2 June 2011). "Catalyst: God's Algorithm – ABC TV Science". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  25. ^ Greenbaum, Hilary; Rubinstein, Dana (9 February 2012). "Who Made That Rubik's Cube?". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  26. ^ "Rubik's Cube Wizz Feliks Zemdegs – Shows – Brig & Lehmo for Breakfast – GOLD104.3 – Good Times & Great Classic Hits". GOLD 104.3. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2014. 
  27. ^ Scheffler, Ian (3 May 2014). "Beyond the Rubik's Cube: inside thnnme competitive world of speedcubing". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 May 2014. 
  28. ^ Mposo, Nontando (27 November 2014). "Fastest finger to solve colourful puzzle". Independent Online. Retrieved 27 November 2014. 
  29. ^ Strachan, Maxwell (23 July 2015). "Rubik's Cube Champion Feliks Zemdegs On Whether Puzzles And Intelligence Are Linked". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 26 July 2015. 
  30. ^ Saunokonoko, Mark (11 September 2015). "Feliks Zemdegs: cracking the Rubik's Cube". Retrieved 11 September 2015. 
  31. ^ "Gianfranco Huanqui and Feliks Zemdegs: "The Brain" China - Semifinal 14 April 2016". YouTube. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2017. 
  32. ^ Feliks Zemdegs sets new Rubik's Cube world record

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Feliks_Zemdegs&oldid=856915680"