Onakoya is aiming to break the Guinness World Record by playing chess for an incredible 58 hours straight.
Popular human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Thursday, paid a visit to Times Square in New York City to support fellow Nigerian, Tunde Onakoya, as he attempts to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon without losing a game.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters captured Onakoya''s excitement upon meeting Sowore, as the chess player rose in amazement to greet the human rights activist. Sowore was accompanied by his allies and brought food items to support Onakoya during his marathon challenge.
Onakoya is aiming to break the Guinness World Record by playing chess for an incredible 58 hours straight.
Onakoya, who began the challenge on Wednesday said he was embarking on the marathon for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.
On the 17th of April 2024, I will attempt to break the Guinness World record for the longest Chess marathon in the heart of Times Square New York City for 58 hours without losing a game.
Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education.
You guys have been rock solid for me through the years, so I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds, he earlier wrote on his X handle.
On Thursday, he announced on his X handle that he had played 60 people in 24 hours, stressing that the target was to raise a million dollars and bring the gift of chess to children across the world.
The post noted that fatigue was naturally setting in but the game must surely continue, and therefore called for more support.
The post read, It''s officially 1 full day of playing continuous chess in our attempt to break the @GWR for longest chess marathon. @CoachShawnMar and I have played 60 games and the fatigue is naturally setting in. But one thing we will not do is stop.
We will raise a million dollars and bring the gift of chess to children across the world. Your support is needed now, more than ever.
The event is set to be concluded on Friday, April 19. Set against the backdrop of the bustling Times Square, Onakoya''s quest showcases his determination and skill as he takes on the formidable challenge.
In a post on Friday morning, Sowore also said, Today in New York Citys #TimesSquare with Nigerias 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 Nigerian Jollof rice and plenty of goat meat to keep Tunde going!
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