Entertainment
Tunde Onakoya Breaks Chess Marathon World Record to Support Homeless Kids
Tunde Onakoya, a Nigerian chess master and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has officially broken the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. He surpassed the previous record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds. This was done with the help of his chess partner, Shawn Martinez. They crossed the 62-hour mark early Sunday morning, April 20, at Times Square, New York City. Now, they are aiming for a 70-hour goal, which is set to finish later today.
“We’ve officially broken the record!” Onakoya celebrated on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, sharing the achievement with his followers. The marathon, which began on Wednesday, April 17, is not just a test of endurance. Onakoya sees it as a powerful call to action, aiming to raise awareness and funds for a free school for homeless children in Nigeria.
“If you had 70 hours to change the world, what would you do?” he challenged his audience. “Every move, every hour, is a love letter to children who’ve never known the luxury of a second chance.”
Pictures from the event show Onakoya and Martinez deeply focused under the bright lights of Times Square.
In a touching moment, Martinez’s wife brought their newborn twins to the venue, adding a personal and emotional touch to the marathon. Children also joined for a few hours.
Also, this marks Onakoya’s second attempt at breaking the record. In April 2024, he and Martinez completed a 60-hour marathon. This surpassed the previous 2018 record held by Norwegians Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad. However, another Norwegian duo extended the record to 61 hours in June 2024, briefly taking back the title.
Now, a year later, Onakoya and Martinez are not only reclaiming the record but also hoping to make a long-term impact on vulnerable children across Africa. Proceeds from the event, including sales of exclusive chess sets, will support Onakoya’s vision of building “the largest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.”
“No child should have to sacrifice their childhood for survival,” Onakoya emphasized. “No dream should be buried under the weight of poverty.”
Nigerian pastor Dolapo Lawal spoke on the reality of living abroad and what people do not see online.
He shared the insight that many Nigerians who relocate to other countries mainly move there for survival and not necessarily for wealth.
“How many people you know that are in the UK who are billionaires? They go there to survive. They don’t go there to be rich. All of them are going there to do care jobs. They’re going there to survive.”
He then shared that it is better to be a billionaire in Nigeria and stated that success can sometimes come easier at home than relocating abroad.
Sandra has spoken out and broken her silence on the alleged affair involving Chike. She shared that she was faithful throughout her marriage and claimed that only Frank Edoho cheated.
Sandra revealed that Frank allegedly cheated multiple times and even claimed that a particular woman was frequently seen around their home, stating that he was definitely involved with her.
She also stated that she has evidence against Frank, including receipts from hotels and places where he allegedly met with his dates.
Popular singer Shakira and Nigerian singer Burna Boy have reportedly released “Daidia,” a song linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It was also noted that the two artists are expected to perform during the event, and the song for the occasion has now been released.
This will not be the first time Shakira will perform for the World Cup. Whenever her name is mentioned, many people remember “Waka Waka,” the iconic World Cup song released for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11, 2026, to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Many fans are already excited and cannot wait to see the live performance on the big stage.
Victor Osimhen Speaks on His Childhood and Family Struggles
Dolapo Lawal Says Many Nigerians Abroad Are Surviving, Not Thriving
