Nigerian chess prodigy Tunde Onakoya has smashed the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon! Onakoya persevered for a staggering 57 hours, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
This isn’t the end of Onakoya’s challenge, however. The determined chess master is currently pushing himself further, aiming to reach a new target of 58 hours.
News of Onakoya’s record-breaking feat spread quickly online. The Gift of Chess, a social media account dedicated to chess news, announced the imminent record break at 12:34 am on Saturday with the post “56 Hours Straight. The Record Is SET TO BREAK.”
This attempt wasn’t without its supporters. As previously reported, multiple award-winning Afrobeat singer Davido and other Nigerian celebrities were there to cheer Onakoya on during his impressive feat.