In an astounding demonstration of resilience and commitment, Nigerian chess master and advocate of child education, Tunde Onakoya, is on a
quest to set a new world record for the longest chess marathon.
This remarkable effort is taking place in the heart of New York City’s Times Square, where Onakoya, 29, has teamed up with American chess player Shawn Martinez.
The marathon, which began earlier this week, has already surpassed 50 hours of continuous play, and is set to be concluded on Friday April 19, 2024.
Despite suffering from severe stomach pain and intense vomiting during the event, Onakoya’s determination has not wavered. Faced with the option to give up, he emphatically chose to persevere, stating, “I will play on for the dreams of millions of children.”
This declaration has rallied a wave of support from both online well-wishers and live spectators, who have gathered to witness his endeavour.
The goal of this strenuous undertaking is to raise $1million to foster educational opportunities for children across Africa. Throughout the event, Onakoya has sustained himself on a diet of water and jollof rice, with only five-minute breaks each hour — precious moments often spent engaging with supporters and participating in their celebratory dances.
In just the first 20 hours, supporters from around the globe, including Nigerians, global leaders, celebrities, and casual passersby, contributed over $22,000 towards the cause.
Onakoya and Martinez aimed to shatter the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, set in 2018 by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, by playing nonstop for 58 hours in accordance with Guinness World Record (GWR) guidelines.
Beyond the marathon, Onakoya is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, launched in 2018 with a mission to support the education of at least one million children living in impoverished conditions across the continent.
This initiative is especially critical considering the more than 10 million children currently out of school in Nigeria alone.
As the marathon nears its final moments, the support and music from the crowd continued to fuel Onakoya’s resolve. His inspiring message resonates clearly: “It is possible to do great things from a small place.”
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