Tunde Onakoya raises over N131 million in his Guinness World Record for longest chess marathon
Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slum Africa, has achieved a remarkable milestone by raising over N131 million during his Guinness World Record attempt for the longest chess marathon.
Onakoya’s relentless pursuit saw him play non-stop chess, remaining undefeated throughout the marathon. He surpassed the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes set in 2018 by Norwegian duo Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, ultimately reaching an impressive 60 hours on Saturday, April 21, 2024.
Supported by Shawn Martinez, a United States national chess master, Onakoya faced his opponent in the iconic setting of Times Square in New York City, where he made history with his remarkable endurance and determination.
Tunde Onakoya breaks world record for longest chess marathon
Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez embarked on a remarkable journey to set a new record for the longest chess marathon, dedicating an impressive 60 consecutive hours to their passionate pursuit.
Although Guinness World Records is yet to officially confirm their attempt, their feat has already garnered widespread admiration from the global chess community.
The marathon was not only a test of endurance but also a noble endeavor to raise funds for Chess in Slums Africa, with a goal of reaching $1 million (approximately N1 billion). Tunde enthusiastically shared updates about their progress on social media, encouraging supporters to contribute to the cause.
In a recent development, it has been reported that their efforts have resulted in over N131 million in donations, a testament to the impact of their dedication and the generosity of supporters.
Social media users shared their thoughts via comments section. Some reactions are shown below:
adesinaadebisifisayo said, “Amazing👏👏👏. The sky is your starting point bro. Keep soaring high @tunde_onakoya”.
houseofjaycee_ng said, “This tunde is Yoruba angel 😇😇”.
t_hansome1 said, “131 million for something worthy and something unworthy will raise over 200”.
trulytywo said, “Way to go👏👏👏👏. Incredible heart and performance 🙌��🙌”.
nimi_chick said, “This record cannot easily be broken because of this act of kindness that accompanies it”.