Audio By Carbonatix
Under the beaming lights of New York's iconic Times Square, Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya has broken the record for the longest chess marathon.
After playing for 58 consecutive hours he was still at the board.
Onakoya hopes to raise $1m (£805,000) for charity to support chess education for millions of children.
Hundreds of supporters from the city's Nigerian community have shown up to cheer on the chess master, including Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido.
They provided music and energised him with supplies of classic Nigerian dishes, including the beloved national staple, jollof rice.
Back home in Nigeria, people threw their support behind Onakoya as they watched him conquer the record on Twitch, a video-streaming service.
Supporters left messages on the stream commending Onakoya as an inspiration.
"Thank you for daring to dream and showing us the levels to which we can all take our brain power to! Well done Tunde! I'm going to pick up my chess board back haha," one commenter wrote.
"Mr Onakoya is a symbol of excellence and resilience that distinguish Nigerians both at home and abroad... Go, make history, and inscribe our name in gold," Nigeria's Vice-President Kashim Shettima posted on X.
"Lagos is rooting for you," Lagos state governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu told Onakoya, adding that his attempt was "a powerful testament to how greatness can emerge from anywhere".
The previous world record, recognised by Guinness World records, was 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds, which was set by Norwegian duo Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
Onakoya, 29, credits chess with saving him from the overwhelming poverty he faced growing up in Lagos's infamous floating slums.
His non-profit, Chess in Slums Africa, teaches the game to children from poor communities and helps them with their education.
Onakoya is also a board member of the US non-profit The Gift of Chess, which works to transform lives through chess and is targeting to distribute one million chess sets to underserved communities by 2030.
Latest Stories
-
Upper West Regional Minister denies diverting education infrastructure projects from Issa to Daffiama
5 minutes -
When success becomes a target: Ghana’s music industry habit of tearing down its own
9 minutes -
Savannah Region inaugurates 10-member health committee to reset sector
25 minutes -
Let’s demonstrate Mahama’s peace advocacy in his home region – Fulbe to chiefs and people
32 minutes -
Bright Ofori: Commending judicial reforms while advancing conversation on timely justice
46 minutes -
Newsfile to tackle security recruitment cuts, GH¢21bn audit exposé, Mahama jet controversy
1 hour -
Vice President receives UCC’s Distinguished Fellow Award, calls for education to deliver dev’t
2 hours -
Tension in DBI District as Issa chiefs demand reversal of relocated GES office
2 hours -
Women at the forefront: Celebrating Ghanaian women’s impact after 69 years of Independence
2 hours -
Gbeniyiri, Damongo violence: Security Councils condemn killings, vow to bring perpetrators to justice
2 hours -
KNUST declares five former students persona non grata, orders arrest on sight
2 hours -
Historic relief for Bono East as Holy Family Hospital receives first dialysis machines from GMTF
2 hours -
‘Pa-To-Pa’ promo is delivering on its promise – GCB Bank
3 hours -
Ghana Dance Industry Awards slated for April 18 at National Theatre
3 hours -
GCB Bank rewards 2nd and 3rd batch of winners in ‘Pa To Pa’ promo draw
3 hours
