In a remarkable achievement, Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya etched his name into the Guinness World Records. On a Saturday that would become historic, Tunde embarked on an epic chess marathon, aiming to break barriers and make a difference.
Advertisement
Tunde’s official X account buzzed with excitement as he shared the news. His goal? To play chess continuously for an astonishing 60 hours. But this wasn’t just about personal glory. Tunde had a noble cause driving him: raising funds for the education of underprivileged African children worldwide.
At the iconic Times Square in New York City, Tunde’s marathon unfolded. He surpassed the previous record of 56 hours and 9 minutes, set by Norwegian players. The chessboard became his battleground, and the pieces danced as he pushed the limits.
Tunde wasn’t alone in this quest. He teamed up with Shawn Martinez, a fellow national chess master from the United States. Together, they weren’t just chasing records; they were advocating for something bigger—the power of education.
After 23 hours of intense play, Shawn joined Tunde. Their moves echoed through the square, drawing attention from passersby. But it wasn’t just about chess—it was about the future. Tunde and Shawn stood united, their cause resonating far beyond the checkered board.
Their efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and musicians Davido and Adekunle Gold rallied behind them. The chess pieces became symbols of hope, and the world watched.
In those grueling hours, Tunde and Shawn showcased the true power of unity and love. Their marathon wasn’t just about breaking records; it was about breaking barriers.
Advertisement
@thatsandragirl The moment Tunde Onakoya clocked the 58th hour 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬 The current record stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds, achieved by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018. Tunde is aiming to surpass this record by at least 2 hours. But this isn’t just about breaking records; it’s about shining a global spotlight on Tunde’s impactful work with Chess in Slums Africa (@chessinslums) and raising $1 million to expand access to chess education for millions of children worldwide. Here’s how you can support: 1. Donate to the cause via the link in their bio. 2. Spread the word. Reshare, repost, retweet as many posts about this attempt as possible. 3. Show up at Times Square if you’re in NYC or nearby if you can, he’s currently at 58:13min. You can still show up❤️if you can’t, follow the live update hun. He wants ro add extra two hours to make it 60hours🇳🇬🇳🇬 More enquires for support can be directed to taiwo@tundeonakoya.com or tunde@chessinslumsafrica.com.? For real-time updates, follow Chess in Slums Africa and @thegiftofchess. #impact #socialimpact ♬ original sound – Sandra Adebayo
Omg! you did it champ @Tunde_OD pic.twitter.com/CJup7W6569
— Moe (@Mochievous) April 20, 2024
Leave a Reply