Nigerians are in celebratory mode as Tunde Onakoya set a new Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon played.
The renowned Nigerian chess master was attempting to break the previous record of 56 hours, 9 hours set by Norwegians Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebo and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018, in a bid to raise $1 million for underprivileged children in Africa through his foundation Chess in Slums, which uses the game to empower children by giving them access to education.
Onakoya began his challenge by playing American Shawn Martinez in Time Square, New York City on Wednesday and finally broke the record early Saturday morning (West African Time) when he reached 58 hours.
WE HAVE DONE IT. #LongestChessMarathon #58Hours #RecordBroken #NewRecordSet pic.twitter.com/SjDhOqNpae
— Tunde Onakoya (@Tunde_OD) April 20, 2024
The philanthropist has since reached 60 hours with aim of allowing more donations coming in which as at the time of writing reached $105,519.
Nigerians across the world from the Presidency, to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other prominent figures like Obiageli Ezekesili, Aisha Yesufu, Omoleye Sowore, Dipo Awojide, Funsho Doherty among others all took to X to celebrate Onakoya’s achievement.
Congratulations to Chess Master Tunde Onakoya on breaking the world chess marathon record in Times Square, New York. Your journey from Lagos, Nigeria to global recognition embodies the spirit of our great city.@Tunde_OD continues to demonstrate that greatness can emerge from… pic.twitter.com/QHT5hkwfbh
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) April 20, 2024
Congratulations Tunde Onakoya pic.twitter.com/V4yoi38ovW
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) April 20, 2024
Appreciation post for Tunde Onakoya and the Gift of Chess. Let’s support the brother with his foundation. Send money!!! https://t.co/7g6CNxXiBK pic.twitter.com/lfPso1dEmy
— Lolade Adewuyi (@Jololade) April 20, 2024
Emotional moment for Tunde Onakoya as he breaks the Guinness world record for the longest chess marathon ever!
He couldn't control the tears
The boy from ikorodu has shown the world that nothing is impossible!
He targeted 58 hours.
He has reached it!Congratulations Nigeria🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/Bi2IKbyrxN
— Chukwuma Ezeh (@Chukwuma__ezeh) April 20, 2024
It’d be safe to say Shawn Martinez also broke a record because He is the one Tunde Onakoya has been playing against since the attempt of breaking a Guinness world record in chess started.
He deserves some accolades too. pic.twitter.com/lZFc4NVaOn
— PortHarcourt Sailor (@GodsgreatG) April 20, 2024
Checkmate! Congratulations @Tunde_OD. -AAhttps://t.co/eV0kSG84Pu
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 20, 2024
IT IS DONE
Another Guinness Record Broken
Congratulations Tunde Onakoya
The likes of you, Hilda and other performing Nigerians make us proud. pic.twitter.com/M4FvHd797D
— Christian Okoro ⚛ (@Chidospac) April 20, 2024
All hail the King. Congratulations to Nigeria's #TundeOnakoya, on smashing the #ChessMarathon World Record with a time of 58 hours earlier tonight in #TimesSquare, NY♟️
Onakoya is the CEO of Chess in Slums Africa. It aims to introduce chess to children who probably would never… pic.twitter.com/rfR8rvullZ
— Victor Oladokun (@VictorOladokun) April 20, 2024
Having Tunde Onakoya playing Chess for 60 hours is an astonishing feat.
It’s great to see him get the World Record, bring glory to Nigeria, and inspire so many in the process.
All hail Tunde the Chess superstar. pic.twitter.com/hFhZEqqFns
— Chuma Nnoli (@ChumaNnoli) April 20, 2024
The emotion moment Tunde Onakoya got to 58hours and he cried 🥹❤️!!
He has set the record, 58 straight hours non stop chess game ♟️🇳🇬🎊🎉
Raise am Raise am Raise am !!! pic.twitter.com/osy86NtmtV
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) April 20, 2024
Tunde Onakoya has done it!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/snvcoZhHEg
— Biodun Stephen (@BiodunStephenO) April 20, 2024
Grace, Grace, Grace, this is our story!! Lori Tunde Onakoya, Oluwa gba Ope wa!
We the Next level prayer community and Harvesters family are solidly behind one of ours, @tunde_OD for embarking on this great feat! We know that God is with you and we are rooting for you!
To… pic.twitter.com/EdfPYd9Lwc
— Bolaji Idowu (@pastorbolaji) April 19, 2024
Congratulations Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD Guinness World Record breaker for the longest Chess Marathon. 🤴🏾
Naija to the world 🇳🇬👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/LiurjTw7We
— Ó.G.B (@OGBdeyforyou) April 20, 2024
Congratulations to Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master and founder of @ChessinSlums Africa, for achieving the remarkable feat of breaking the world record of the longest consecutive chess game in Times Square at 58 Hours!
Your steadfast commitment to support access of… https://t.co/92vLcl3026
— Toyin Saraki (@ToyinSaraki) April 20, 2024
It’s a fact that some (or most) of the greatest Nigerians in history are from Ogun State.
Tunde Onakoya is the latest inductee into the Ogun State Hall Of Fame. We are indeed proud of him.
My turn will come soon.
— Man of Letters. (@Letter_to_Jack) April 20, 2024
I am immensely proud to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Tunde Onakoya, a shining example of the Nigerian talent and determination.
Tunde's bold endeavor to set a new world record by playing chess for 58 hours in Times Square, New York, is not just a personal milestone… pic.twitter.com/eOeTu2uqje
— Benjamin Kalu (@OfficialBenKalu) April 20, 2024
THE KINGS GAMBIT DID IT.
HIS NAME IS TUNDE ONAKOYA.
An inspiration and a great reference point for young people who want to achieve great things from a small place.
May his fame last forever.✊️ pic.twitter.com/pWMrKnyH1w
— Benkingsley Nwashara (@Benking443) April 20, 2024
We celebrate you on the attainment of this great feat. Your persistence and perseverance till you broke the new record is contagious.
Once again, congratulations Mr. Tunde Onakoya, founder of Chess in Slums Africa on the completion of 58 hours of non-stop Chess.
*Record… pic.twitter.com/p9Biixw0wy
— Rt. Hon. Akinyode Abidemi OYEWUSI #Ireyode (@IreYode) April 20, 2024
Tunde Onakoya is who he thinks he is 👑 #ChessMarathonForChange #ForTheChildren pic.twitter.com/87TYImvIl6
— Pamilerin Adegoke (@UnclePamilerin) April 19, 2024
"It is possible to do great things from a small place." – Tunde Onakoya, May 2022
— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) April 20, 2024
In the words of Nelson Mandela, it is impossible until it's done. Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD has made the impossible, possible!
Congratulations!— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) April 20, 2024
Tunde Onakoya will ask for jollof rice and God will give him jollof rice. He will ask for Nkwobi from Citi Lounge and he will get the most delicious Nkwobi. He will ask for $1million and he will get $1million. Anything he asks for, he will get. Amen.
— Chidi Okereke (@Chydee) April 19, 2024
Proverbs 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD, keep going…. don’t settle!
We’re all rooting for you.🙌🏾✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾 pic.twitter.com/oBfnbnyInO
— Oby Ezekwesili (@obyezeks) April 17, 2024
Congratulations to Mr. Tunde Onakoya for his incredible achievement in breaking the Guinness World Record of 58-hour chase marathon.
We are proud of you. pic.twitter.com/kofY6dH37Q
— Haj. Fati Atiku Abubakar Esq (@FatiAtiku) April 20, 2024
Now that Tunde onakoya has broken the Guinness World Record breaker for the longest Chess Marathon,I know that there are people somewhere planning to break the record for scrabble marathon,monopoly marathon,whot marathon,Ludo marathon,e.t.c.
This is why I love my country 🇳🇬😂
— 𝔸b𝕒𝕫𝕫 (@abazwhyllzz) April 20, 2024
Today in New York City’s #TimesSquare with Nigeria’s Chess prodigy Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD in his quest to break a Guinness World Record for longest chess marathon as well as help African kids with #GiftofChess I was with Lookman Afolayan of @bukanewyork as he supplied fresh… pic.twitter.com/ED7k8t6VcV
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) April 18, 2024
Celebrating and rooting for Tunde Onakoya, Chessmaster, Founder, Chess in Slums, as he approaches the Guinness World Chess Marathon record in New York. Thank you for all the great work you do in Lagos. Good luck and Godspeed #ChessMarathonForChange pic.twitter.com/BT621nfe0V
— funsodoherty (@funsodoherty) April 19, 2024
Woke up feeling more proud than ever to be Nigerian. First Hilda Baci @hildabacicooks with her Cook-A-Thon, Edo State’s very own Angel Asein @AngelRiemen with the Read-A-Thon and now Tunde Onakoya @Tunde_OD smashing the Chess-A-Thon.#GuinnessWorldRecord
— Godwin Obaseki (GGO) (@GovernorObaseki) April 20, 2024
Congratulation to our world record breaker 🤗🤗 Tunde Onakoya pic.twitter.com/tMEubxX873
— DammyDee 🥰🤩 (@Sheunayo3) April 20, 2024
