Nigerian chess master, Tunde Onakoya, has made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Onakoya’s extraordinary feat took place at the iconic Times Square in New York, USA. The marathon commenced at 10 am on April 17, 2024, and reached a staggering 58 consecutive hours, culminating at 8 pm on April 19, 2024.
This achievement surpasses the previous record of 56 hours and nine minutes, held by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad since 2018.
Onakoya expressed his elation on his official X account, stating, “We have done it. We’re pushing to 60 hours guys. We’re not stopping yet. Let’s keep going. We have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why – the reason we are doing this. Let’s demonstrate to the world the incredible power of love. Together, we can make this happen.”
Among the notable figures present at Times Square to support Onakoya during his marathon were Afrobeats sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, Nigerian singer Adekunle Kosoko, better known by his stage name Adekunle Gold, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York City, Ambassador Peter Egopija, and the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.