Tunde Onakoya, the new Guinness world record holder for playing the longest Chess marathon, disclosed in another report about his health that he sneezed blood before the chess marathon began and coughed violently, which would have led to his eventually calling off his chess-playing marathon.
The 58-hour Guinness World Record began on Wednesday, April 17th, 2024, at the time square in New York City, U.S.A., ended at 12:40, and ended on Saturday after he reached the 60-hour mark.
The New York-based non-profit organization, Gift of Chess, whose aim is to distribute chess all around the world, stated that Tunde Onakoya had experienced and intended vomiting and stomach aches during the marathon but refused to quit.
In his first tweet after setting the new Guinness World Record, the Chess-in-Slums founder confirmed that he suffered food poisoning during his record-breaking chess marathon campaign.
The chess marathon winner and founder of Chess-in-Slum stated in his tweet that he suffered food poisoning during his Chess marathon campaign after setting the new World record.
On April 24, 2024, Tunde Onakoya came out to give more details about his health before the marathon began. He said the promise he made to kids back home fueled him not to give up.
“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,” his LinkedIn profile says.
“I had woken up in the middle of the night some two weeks ago, cancelled 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 would 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 also said, “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 chess board and did it afraid, unwell, and 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 that was present and the wave of support back home in Nigeria. I experienced human love and kindness in its purest form. People travelled from all over the world to come sit with us in the cold as we sparred for several hours.”
Onakoya also appreciated everyone and Nigerians who came out to support him 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.
“As I sit here on my flight back home, my heart is full and I can’t wait to tell the children their dreams are also valid.
“Well done, Tunde – The one who gives the forgotten little children big caps to wear, now the world will see them through your light.”
When Onakoya arrived in Lagos, the Murtala Muhammad International Airport where he received a heroic welcome.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, received Onakoya at the Government House in Ikeja on Wednesday.
Sanwo-Olu called Onakoya an embodiment of “the spirit of Lagos,” which is typically for Nigerians.
“Powerful visions, birth movements that change lives. Today, we welcome back @Tunde_OD, our chess champion, to Lagos,” he said on X.
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