In an extraordinary display of skill and endurance, Tunde Onakoya, a chess virtuoso hailing from Nigeria, clinched a groundbreaking achievement on Saturday, securing a new Guinness World Record for the longest uninterrupted chess marathon.
Taking to his official X account, Onakoya jubilantly shared the triumphant news with his followers, expressing his unwavering resolve to extend the record to an unprecedented 60 hours. Notably, he underscored the charitable motive driving his endeavor – raising funds to support the education of underprivileged African children worldwide.
Setting foot in the iconic Times Square in New York City, Onakoya surpassed the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes held by Norwegian players. Teaming up with his US counterpart Shawn Martinez, also a national master, Onakoya not only aimed to break records but also to spotlight the vital significance of providing educational opportunities for disadvantaged children across Africa.
After a grueling 23 hours of solo play, Martinez joined Onakoya to continue their marathon, rallying support from prominent figures including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and acclaimed musicians Davido and Adekunle Gold.
Through their unwavering determination and the outpouring of support, Onakoya and Martinez demonstrated the transformative power of unity and compassion in effecting positive change on a global scale.
