Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has established a Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon held in New York.
Establishing a New Record
Tunde Onakoya and his partner Shawn Martinez completed a 64-hour marathon at Times Square, New York, surpassing the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds set by two Norwegians in 2024. Tunde remarked, “We did the impossible and gave the world something new to believe in.”
Goals of the Marathon
While undertaking the marathon, Tunde Onakoya aimed not just to break records, but to raise awareness and support for building the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria, as he has been a long-time advocate for children's rights. He proclaimed, “For all the dreamers! We've officially broken the record!”
Community Impact and Future
Tunde Onakoya's victory emphasizes Nigeria's significance on the world stage. His goal is to raise $1 million for the education of children in Nigeria and Africa. This achievement inspires and supports children who lack access to quality education. He expressed hope, saying, “If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do?”
Tunde Onakoya's efforts and support for improving children's lives in Nigeria not only instill hope but also showcase how chess can be a tool for social change.
