A Grade 8 learner achieves a record-breaking feat by independently solving the Rubik’s puzzle
Larry Kiprob, a Grade 8 learner at Kericho Highlands Junior Primary School, has achieved a remarkable feat by independently solving a 5×5 Rubik’s Cube without any guidance or assistance from a trainer. The achievement took place in the under 12 years category, and Samwel Kamau, a teacher and World Cube Association (WCA) event organizer, speculated that Larry could be a leading talent not only in Kericho but also in the South Rift and possibly Kenya. Kamau, the founder of Last Mile Cube Association, emphasized the significance of Larry’s accomplishment, praising it as a testament to the competency, talents, character, and 21st-century skills advocated by the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Despite the school not having formally incorporated the Rubik’s Cube game into its activities, Larry Kiprob’s solo achievement garnered attention and admiration. The Last Mile Cube Association, founded by Kamau, focuses on marketing and promoting Speed Cubing and the Rubik Cube. Kamau highlighted the benefits of Rubik’s Cube, including cognitive power improvement, memory enhancement, development of problem-solving skills, brain-hand-eye coordination, reflex improvement, and stress reduction.
Larry Kiprob expressed his joy about his interest in Rubik Cubing, which started when Kamau introduced the game, along with Chess and Scrabble, during a visit to their school. Kiprob recalled Kamau teaching them with simple Rubik cubes of 2×2, gradually progressing as they became more familiar with the game. He mentioned participating in a WCA competition held at the Holy Trinity Church in Kericho and expressed his aspirations to become a doctor and a professional Rubik player in the future.
The Rubik’s Cube, a 3D combination puzzle, was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. Kamau’s efforts in promoting speed cubing as a learning tool in schools reflect the growing interest in this global sport and potential career path.
