Guinness World Record: Nigerians cheer Onakoya as 58-hour chess marathon begins in New York

Nigerians abroad have come out to support renowned chess master, Tunde Onakoya, as he embarks on a mission to surpass the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya announced the commencement of the marathon via his X account with the caption, “Game time.”

He also wrote, “We haven’t even started yet, and Nigerians are already trooping into camp with me.”

Among those cheering the chess master is Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold.

The event, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, started at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 17, and is scheduled to end at 8 p.m. on April 19.

Onakoya is set to engage in an intense chess marathon, aiming to play for 58 hours without a single defeat.

The current Guinness World Record, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway on November 11, 2018, stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.