Tom Kopke, a 23-year-old content creator known as Tooleko on YouTube, has set a new Guinness World Record by solving a rotating puzzle cube while skydiving.
Kopke completed the challenge in 23.333 seconds during a freefall jump over Mossel Bay in February. He opened his parachute moments after finishing the puzzle, securing the record under strict timing conditions.
The feat surpassed the previous record of 28.25 seconds set in 2023 by Sam Sieracki.
Guinness World Records confirmed the attempt, which required solving the cube entirely during freefall before deploying the parachute. The timing excludes parachute descent and begins once the cube is first handled in the air.
From Hobby to High-Risk Challenge
Kopke said his journey with the puzzle began years earlier. “I first solved the Rubik’s cube when I was 18 and practiced a lot back then,” he told Guinness World Records.
“I even made a video attempting some crazy Rubik’s cube challenges, where I also said that one day I would solve it while skydiving,” he added.
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The idea remained on hold for some time due to a key requirement. Kopke needed a skydiving license before attempting such a high-risk stunt. He later trained in skydiving as part of a broader plan to create extreme content.
“I always wanted to learn skydiving because I have a lot more crazy skydiving videos planned, and I thought it would be really cool to start this journey with a clear goal in mind, which was to break the record,” he said.
Experts say combining speedcubing with skydiving adds multiple layers of difficulty. Wind resistance, body control and time pressure make even simple hand movements more complex in freefall.
Precision, Practice and Risk
Kopke highlighted the importance of preparation before attempting the jump. He practiced extensively to ensure he could handle the cube mid-air without losing control.
“I practiced a lot with the cube in the air so I got used to it,” he said.
One of his biggest concerns was dropping the cube during the descent. Losing grip would have ended the attempt instantly.
“The most dangerous part is actually the handover, kind of like in track and field where a lot of mistakes happen during the baton exchange,” he explained.
Skydiving records often involve strict safety oversight, with backup measures in place to protect participants. While Kopke focused on speed, he also had to manage altitude awareness to deploy his parachute on time.
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The achievement reflects a growing trend of combining extreme sports with skill-based challenges for online audiences. Content creators increasingly push boundaries to capture attention, but experts caution that such stunts require professional training and safety planning.
Kopke said he plans to take a short break before deciding his next challenge. He hinted at more ambitious skydiving content in the future, building on his latest record.
