Jessica Lyschik, a WordPress Developer at GREYD, has won the highly anticipated WordPress Speed Build Challenge, defeating WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg. Jessica announced that she would donate her $5,000 prize money to Girls Who Code.
The showdown was set following Jessica’s public challenge to Matt during WordCamp Europe. The challenge hosted by Jamie Marsland, required both participants to replicate the Bob Dylan website within 30 minutes using any tools or techniques of their choice. Jessica utilized the GREYD theme and plugin, while Matt opted for the Twenty Twenty-Five theme and AI.
Jessica, the Co-Lead for the Twenty Twenty-Four Default Theme, prioritized accessibility during the live event impressing the audience and prompting Patricia BT to comment, “Jessica is so good at accessibility, I think the whole Greyd team is btw (and shoutout to Anne-Mieke as well).”
While Jamie confirmed that using AI was not against the rules, the audience was divided about Matt’s use of it. Some appreciated using AI to speed up development, while others felt that “as the founder of Blocks, he should at least do it the core way.”
The audience was amused to see Matt getting stuck and grow frustrated with alignment, padding, and borders. He accepted that he would have never found some options in a million years.
Audience reactions included, “It’s good that WP leadership tries hands-on to use the Block Editor, that’s the only way of experiencing where we can improve. Thanks Matt for being here and maybe noting the issues.”, “Love that Matt is learning WordPress Live.”, “Wonder if he’ll now believe all the criticism of Gutenberg”, “Haha… Matt is saying that something is annoying about blocks?”, and “like watching a baby calf learn to walk.”
But some defended Matt’s efforts: “He actually did alright imo. esp for one not building sites on the reg. Doesn’t mean there’s not improvements to be had by any means though.”
Jessica was finally declared winner for a “more polished finish.” Before this event, she had competed against Rich Tabor and Francesco Grasso, while Matt was participating in the challenge for the very first time. Her next challenge will be against Nick Diego at the WordPress Speed Build Challenge during WordCamp Asia.
You can watch the full challenge on YouTube.
