This handsome young man in his late 20s exudes the wisdom of someone in their late 80s or early 90s. Let me begin with Tunde Onakoya’s tweet on April 26, 2024, at exactly 11 a.m. It reads, ‘‘When King Solomon chose wisdom over great wealth and riches, it wasn’t an extraordinary sacrifice; it was the clear choice. Anyone burdened with leadership understands this. A man who aspires to lead the orchestra must ignore the crowd. It’s tough, but it requires wisdom.’’ Tunde Onakoya’s immense heart is unmatched and serves as a great example to follow.
The Power Of Dreams
Nigerian chess champion Tunde Onakoya broke the world record for the longest chess marathon by playing unbeaten for over 58 hours in New York City’s Times Square to raise funds for underprivileged children’s education in Africa. He aimed to raise $1 million through the record attempt.
Onakoya started his quest to break the 58-hour Guinness World Record on Wednesday, April 17 at 10 am in Times Square and surpassed the mark by reaching 60 hours at about 12:40 am on Saturday. This exceeded the previous Guinness World Record of 56 hours and 9 minutes which was set in Haugesund, Norway in 2018 by FM Sjur Ferkingstad and Hallvard Haug Flatebø.
Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya endured intense vomiting, stomach pain, and extreme fatigue to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon. His determination was fueled by a noble cause.
Despite experiencing food poisoning and stomach pain during the marathon, Onakoya persevered and refused to quit. The Chess-in-Slums founder shared his health challenges on social media and mentioned that he almost gave up but stayed committed to his promise to children in need.
Gift of Chess, a New York-based non-profit organization, supported Onakoya’s record-breaking attempt and highlighted his determination to continue despite the physical challenges he faced.
President Bola Tinubu was one of the first to congratulate Tunde Onakoya on his historic achievement. We are proud of Tunde’s ambition to break the Guinness World Record for playing chess for 58 hours without losing a game. He represents Nigeria on the global stage through this game of brilliant minds.
Tunde Onakoya is a symbol of excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians at home and abroad. We support him as he captivates the world from Times Square, New York City. Go, make history, and inscribe our name in gold.
Congratulations to Tunde Onakoya for setting a new world chess record and showcasing Nigeria’s resilience, self-belief, and ingenuity on the global stage. I celebrate Tunde Onakoya, the Nigerian Chess Champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, for his rare feat and his efforts to raise funds for African children to learn and find opportunities through chess.
Tunde exemplifies the audacity of Nigeria’s youth to drive positive change, overcome challenges, and innovate solutions. Nigerian youths have shown excellence in various fields, demonstrating that great achievements can come from humble beginnings.
I commend Nigerians for their unity and support for Tunde’s groundbreaking endeavour, showcasing the nation’s collective spirit across all divides.
Onakoya expressed gratitude to Shawn Martinez, his main opponent during the nearly three-day event. Other challengers also participated in the competition.
The historic event was witnessed by hundreds of Nigerians and fans who enjoyed music and dancing throughout the competition. They provided Onakoya with water and jollof rice, a popular West African dish. Onakoya’s manager, Taiwo Adeyemi, mentioned the overwhelming support from Nigerians in the U.S., global leaders, celebrities, and spectators.
According to Guinness rules, Onakoya and his opponent could take five-minute breaks every hour or combine them for a longer 30-minute break every six hours.
After Setting The New Guinness World Record
In his first tweet after setting the new Guinness World Record, the Chess-in-Slums founder confirmed that he had suffered food poisoning during his record-breaking chess marathon campaign.
On Wednesday, Onakoya gave more details about his health condition before the marathon began, saying he almost gave up the idea but for his promise to kids back home.
“I have struggled to find the right words to capture all of the emotions I’ve felt in the last couple of days – it is indeed one of those weeks when decades happened,” he wrote on his LinkedIn profile.
“I had woken up in the middle of the night some two weeks ago, canceled my flight back home, and decided to pursue this crazy idea of breaking the world record right in the heart of Times Square. It was basically attempting the impossible due to time constraints, but we made it work and got all the necessary permissions as our will was far greater than any resistance we faced.
“But two days before the record attempt, my health failed me. It was so bad I had started sneezing blood and coughing violently.
“I was on the verge of calling it off, but I had promised the children back home that I was going to make them proud and come back to them with tales of triumph. After all, I had taught them that it was possible to do great things from a small place against all odds.”
Onakoya added, “On the day of the attempt, I still wasn’t feeling well, but I dressed up and walked down to Times Square to see that Nigerians had turned up in numbers with flags and flowers in hand to cheer me on. With tears in my eyes, I walked up to the chessboard and did it afraid, unwell, uncertain but with a resolute mind.
“After 60 hours of mental torture, we set a new record for the longest chess marathon in the world. We pushed human limitations and gave the world something new to believe in.
“But my greatest joy wasn’t just breaking the record; it was in the little moments we shared with everyone who was present and the wave of support back home in Nigeria. I experienced human love and kindness in its purest form. People traveled from all over the world to come sit with us in the cold as we sparred for several hours.”
Onakoya also thanked everyone who showed support during his record-breaking campaign. “To everyone who supported our vision, donated to our cause, and stood by us – this record is yours as much as it is mine. Together we have done something truly extraordinary. Thank you.
Guinness has not yet publicly commented or confirmed the record, a process that typically takes weeks. However, the chess marathon was streamed live and received significant attention from major media outlets like CNN, the New York Times, the BBC, and AP.
Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, Onakoya is the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organization that uses chess to help underprivileged children improve their literacy skills. As a role model for millions in Africa, the 29-year-old is striving to raise $1 million for children’s education across the continent. With a large social media following, his charitable efforts have garnered global attention.
Following the chess marathon, the charity raised an additional $110,000. Onakoya shared on social media, “60 hours of chess played to fulfill the dreams of millions of children.”
What Is Holding You Back?
Many people struggle to fulfill their dreams and destiny due to fear of failure, lack of self-confidence, and the inability to take risks. Research shows that fear of the unknown and fear of rejection are significant barriers to personal progress. Overcoming these fears involves embracing failure as a learning opportunity and boosting one’s self-confidence through consistent small wins. It’s also crucial to step out of one’s comfort zone, take calculated risks, and embrace change. Remember, fulfilling one’s dreams and destiny requires continuous learning, adaptation, and resilience. It’s never too late to start!
Moreover, societal pressures and expectations can also deter people from pursuing their dreams. Often, individuals are expected to conform to societal norms and choose traditional paths over their true aspirations. It’s important to realize that each person’s journey is unique, and it is okay to deviate from the norm. To overcome this, one must foster an unwavering belief in their dreams and be prepared to defend them against societal criticism.
Another significant hurdle is financial constraints. Many dreams require funding that may not be readily available. However, with careful planning, budgeting, and the willingness to start small, these financial barriers can be overcome.
Finally, remaining stagnant in one’s comfort zone can be an obstacle to fulfilling dreams. The comfort zone may be safe, but growth rarely happens there. Embracing discomfort and viewing challenges as stepping stones rather than obstacles can greatly aid in the journey towards fulfilling dreams and destiny.
Chase Your Dreams No Matter What!
Tunde Onakoya’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a chess champion is a powerful example of perseverance and determination. His historic win at Times Square in New York showcases his resilience and unwavering commitment to his dreams. Tunde’s story inspires us to believe that no dream is too big and no dreamer is too small. Despite facing challenges along the way, his courage to keep moving forward serves as a reminder that success is attainable with persistence. Tunde’s triumph is not just his own but a victory for all dreamers who dare to pursue their aspirations. His journey encourages us to stay resilient and continue striving for our goals, no matter the obstacles.
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