Xu Ruihang works on a Rubik's cube in a competition in Beijing on April 4. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Xu Ruihang, a 13-year-old boy from Lishui city in East China's Zhejiang province, broke two Asian records in a World Cube Association, or the WCA Rubik Cube Competition staged in China's capital  Beijing on April 4.

He set a new WCA Asian record of 5.96 seconds average in the 3x3x3 cube event and 9.94 seconds average for the one-handed cube event.

Xu began learning how to solve the Rubik's cube in first grade and quickly fell in love with it.

Though at a very young age, he has already scooped up a large tally of awards and medals, including nine champions in the WCA Fuzhou Open, the Wuhan Open and other competitions.

On Jan 2, at the WCA Nanchang Good Afternoon 2021, Xu averaged 6.21 seconds on five occasions, breaking the original record of 6.55 seconds in China.

When asked at that time what his next goal was, Xu said firmly: "5.98 seconds. Next I want to break the Asian record."

Xu's mom said her boy was truly dedicated in his focus on the daunting puzzle. "He loves the Rubik's cube and we think he is hardworking and disciplined enough to balance his studies with this hobby," she said.

With his determination, Xu achieved his goal of breaking the Asian records in just three months.