Tunde Onakoya Sets New Chess Marathon Record in Times Square
Renowned Nigerian chess champion and advocate for child education, Tunde Onakoya, achieves a remarkable feat by setting a new record for the longest chess marathon. Playing continuously for an impressive 60 hours amidst the vibrant atmosphere of New York City's iconic Times Square, Onakoya's accomplishment shines bright in the world of chess.
Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate Tunde Onakoya made history by setting a new record for the longest chess marathon. He played for an impressive 60 hours straight in the bustling Times Square of New York City.
Although the Guinness World Record organization has not officially verified Onakoya's feat, a process that can be lengthy, many Nigerians already view the 29-year-old as a national hero for his remarkable achievement.
Onakoya is currently trying to raise $1 million for a charity that helps provide education for children all over Africa.
He initially planned to play for 58 hours but ended up playing for over 60 hours, breaking the previous record of 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds set in 2018 by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad from Norway.
Onakoya recently posted on X, previously known as Twitter, to share his plan to continue playing for a longer period of time. He mentioned, "We’re aiming for 60 hours, everyone. We’re not giving up just yet. Let’s continue our efforts. Our main goal is to raise funds for the education of African children globally. This is the reason behind our actions."
Tunde Onakoya
Tunde Onakoya
CNN
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Chess in Slums Africa is a charity that was founded by Onakoya in 2018. Its goal is to provide education to 1 million children living in slum communities throughout Africa.
Onakoya recently had the opportunity to play against Shawn Martinez, a chess champion from the United States. The game was played in accordance with the guidelines set by the Guinness World Records, which state that any attempt to break a record must involve two players who play continuously for the duration of the attempt.
Fueled by delicious Nigerian jollof rice, groovy Afrobeats music, and messages of support from all over the world, Onakoya emerged victorious in every game against Martinez. Among the crowd cheering him on in Manhattan were Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Davido and singer Adekunle Gold.
Online, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu was one of the many who congratulated Onakoya. He praised the chess champion for "setting a new world record and showcasing Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity on the global stage," in a statement shared by his aide Ajuri Ngelale.
Tinubu praised the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa for his impressive achievement and the noble cause behind it.
The match garnered widespread interest in Nigeria and was televised in various venues in Lagos, the largest city in the country, with viewing parties and digital billboards.
Onakoya established Chess in Slums Africa in Lagos with the goal of empowering children in disadvantaged areas through chess, helping them develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
People celebrate as Tunde Onakoya marks 46 hours for consecutively playing a chess game in Times Square, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York.
People celebrate as Tunde Onakoya marks 46 hours for consecutively playing a chess game in Times Square, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York.
Yuki Iwamura/AP
Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey, cooks for 100 hours in attempt to set world record.
Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey, cooks for 100 hours in attempt to set world record.
Steph Busari/CNN
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An Irish chef has broken the record held by Nigeria's Hilda Baci for the longest cooking marathon. In February of this year, the chess master amazed the worldwide chess community with his impressive performance at the Digital–Life – Design conference in Berlin. Despite facing visa obstacles, he demonstrated his talents by playing and defeating 10 players at the same time, one of whom was the renowned Bulgarian scientist and politician Solomon Passy.
Onakoya also sits on the board at The Gift of Chess, founded by US chess coach Russell Makofsky, which hopes to distribute one million chess sets to communities worldwide by 2030.
Editor's P/S:
Tunde Onakoya's remarkable achievement in setting a new world record for the longest chess marathon is not just a personal triumph but also a source of immense pride and inspiration for Nigeria and Africa as a whole. His determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the cause of children's education have showcased the indomitable spirit of the African continent. Onakoya's journey to break the world record was not without its challenges, but his unwavering belief in his mission and the support of his team and the global community propelled him to success.
Beyond his athletic accomplishment, Onakoya's initiative to raise funds for Chess in Slums Africa is a testament to his dedication to empowering the next generation. By providing access to education and critical thinking skills through chess, he is setting the foundation for a brighter future for countless children across Africa. Onakoya's achievement serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of human endeavor and the importance of leveraging our talents and resources to make a positive impact on the world.
