Fueled by lots of water and the popular West African dish jollof rice, 29-year-old Tunde Onakoya aims to raise $1 million to help keep some of the world's poorest young people in school.
Sunday 21 April 2024 02:25 UK
An active Nigerian chess champion played the game non-stop for 60 hours to break the world record.
Tunde Onakoya, 29, wants to raise $1 million (£800,000) for the education of children around the world. Africa Through the marathon challenge that started in 2017. new york city Times Square on Wednesday.
He crossed the 58-hour mark early Saturday morning, breaking the current record of 56 hours, 9 minutes and 37 seconds set in 2018 by Norwegian pair Halvard Haug Hratebo and Sujur Verkingstad. .
Guinness World Records has not yet publicly commented on Onakoya's bid.
It may take several weeks for the organization to verify new records.
Onakoya played against US chess champion Sean Martinez, with the guidelines that a record attempt must be played continuously by two players.
African music continued to entertain audiences as support grew both online and on-site.
Onakoya, who founded Chess in the Slums of Africa in 2018, said the record attempt was “for the dreams of millions of children across Africa who don't have access to education.”
The charity aims to support the education of at least one million of the continent's poorest children.
After reaching the 24-hour mark, Onakoya said: “My energy is 100% right now because the people here are supporting me with music.”
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What kept him going was lots of water and jollof rice, a popular West African dish.
Onakoya and his opponents were given just five minutes of rest between each match.
Sometimes they were grouped together, and Mr. Onakoya was able to meet well-wishers cheering and join in their dancing.
“There has been overwhelming support from Nigerians in the United States, world leaders, celebrities and hundreds of passersby,” Onakoya's manager, Taiwo Adeyemi, said in a statement.
His record attempt is Nigeriawhere he regularly organizes chess tournaments for young people living on the streets.
More than 10 million children are out of school in the West African country. This is one of the highest percentages in the world.
Among those who provided support was Nigeria's former vice president, Yemi Osinbajo, who wrote in a message to Onakoya on social media platform Remember my powerful words, 'It is possible.'