By Efosa Taiwo
Gift of Chess, a non-profit organization based in New York, has disclosed that Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya exhibited resilience during his ongoing marathon despite experiencing ‘intense vomiting and stomach pain.’
Recall Onakoya is engaging in a chess marathon at the New York’s Times Square, aiming to play for 58 hours without a single defeat.
As of press time, Onakoya has done over 45 hours undefeated as he carries on with his ambition to surpass the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
The current record, set by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad of Norway on November 11, 2018, stands at 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.
Providing updates on Onakoya’s progress, Gift of Chess wrote on X, “That’s #Tunde_OD curled over in pain. Yesterday, we did not think we could continue, as he was experiencing intense vomiting and stomach pain.
“When given the choice to quit, he said, ‘I will play on for the dreams of millions of children.’
“Tunde has never quit on the kids. Let’s not quit on him. Everyone who has liked a photo, we ask you now to donate.”
Onakoya has continued to receive support from Nigerians both home and abroad with public figures and celebrities appearing at the venue to cheer him on.
Among those who have come out to support chess master, Tunde Onakoya include Afrobeats star, Davido, Nigerian singer, Adekunle Gold, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York City, Ambassador Peter Egopija, and Omoyele Sowore and several others.
The event, which is underway at New York City’s iconic Times Square, started at 10am on Wednesday, April 17, and is scheduled to end at 8pm on April 19.
