Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya, alongside his U.S. counterpart Shawn Martinez, has officially set a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon, clocking in at an impressive 64 hours.
On Sunday, Onakoya announced the news in a series of posts on X.com, confirming that the duo had been officially certified by Guinness World Records.
Accompanying the announcement, he shared photos of himself and Martinez with their certificate, exclaiming, “We did the impossible and gave the world something new to believe in.
Official record holders of the Longest Chess Marathon for 64 hours. We did it. It’s time to go home.
He further remarked, “It is possible to do great things from a small place.”Onakoya also congratulated Martinez, writing, “Officially amazing! Congrats on our shared achievement, Shawn Martinez!”According to PUNCH Online, the chess marathon took place in the iconic Times Square, New York City, beginning on April 17 and concluding on April 20. During the event, there was a heartwarming moment when Martinez’s wife brought their newborn twins to the site, adding a personal touch amid the intense competition. Children were also invited to play chess for a few hours during the marathon.
This achievement marks Onakoya’s second time reclaiming the prestigious record. In April 2024, he and Martinez completed a 60-hour chess marathon, outpacing the previous record of 56 hours set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.
However, their record was briefly eclipsed when another pair of Norwegian players established a new record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds just two months later. Undeterred, Onakoya and Martinez set out the following year to reclaim their title, culminating in a successful 64-hour marathon.
Onakoya emphasized that the marathon aimed not only to break records but also to raise awareness and support for constructing the largest tuition-free school for homeless children in Nigeria.
It’s a dream I’ve carried for years. No child should ever have their childhood sacrificed for survival.
No dream should be buried beneath the weight of poverty,” he stated.
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