April 21st 2024.
Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess champion and advocate for children's education, made headlines when he reportedly broke the record for the longest chess marathon by playing for 60 hours straight in Times Square on April 19. While the Guinness Book of World Records still needs to verify his feat, Onakoya's determination and passion for his cause has captured the attention of many.
According to CNN, Onakoya originally set a goal of 58 hours, which would have surpassed the previous record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds set by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018. However, Onakoya announced on Twitter that he was determined to push for 60 hours, driven by his desire to raise awareness and funds for the education of African children around the world.
"We're pushing to 60 hours, guys. We're not stopping yet. Let's keep going," Onakoya wrote. "We have a fundraising goal to meet for the education of African children around the world. This is our why - the reason we are doing this."
Onakoya's marathon matches against U.S. chess champion Shawn Martinez drew attention from celebrities such as Nigerian musicians Adekunle Gold and Davido, as well as praise from political figures like Nigerian President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu congratulated Onakoya on his feat and commended him for using his platform to raise awareness for such an important cause.
In his organization Chess in Slums Africa, which he founded in 2018, Onakoya focuses on empowering children in underserved communities through the game of chess. He uses the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that chess teaches to help these children succeed and find opportunities in life. During his marathon chess session, Onakoya's organization used their social media presence to drive donations and support for their cause.
According to Onakoya's manager, Taiwo Adeyemi, the marathon chess match raised $22,000 in just 22 hours, with a goal of reaching over $1 million. Despite the final amount raised, Adeyemi expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from people all over the world.
As Al-Jazeera reports, Onakoya was overcome with emotion following the match, stating, "I can't process a lot of the emotions I feel right now. I don't have the right words for them. But I know we did something truly remarkable." He also shared how close he came to giving up during the 60 hours, but the support and encouragement from people all over the world kept him going.
Onakoya's dedication to his cause and his record-breaking feat have inspired many and brought attention to the power of chess in empowering children and communities. As he continues to use his platform to make a positive impact, Onakoya remains a true champion both on and off the chessboard.
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