The new Guinness World Record holder for the longest chess marathon, Tunde Onakoya, has shared that he almost gave up his record-breaking chess marathon campaign because he sneezed blood and coughed violently, but he didn't.
Tunde Onakoya started his quest to break the 58-hour Guinness World Record for the longest unbeaten chess marathon on Wednesday, April 17 at 10am in Times Square, New York and ended at about 12:40am (04:40GMT) on Saturday after reaching the 60-hour mark.
A New York-based non-profit organization called Gift of Chess mentioned that the Nigerian chess master experienced intense vomiting and stomach pain during the chess marathon, but he 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.
Onakoya revealed that he almost gave up on the idea of the marathon due to his health condition before it began, but he decided to push through for the 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, 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 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 chess board 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 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 thanked everyone who showed support during his record-breaking campaign.
“This achievement belongs to all of you who supported our idea, gave money to our mission, and stood with us. This record is as much yours as it is mine. Together, we have accomplished something truly exceptional. Thank you.
“As I sit here on my way back home, my heart is full and I can’t wait to tell the children that their dreams are valid too.
“Great job Tunde – The person who provides overlooked young kids with large hats to wear, now the world will see them through your influence.”
Onakoya was welcomed to Lagos on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, personally received Onakoya at the Government House in Ikeja on Wednesday.
Sanwo-Olu referred to Onakoya as a representation of “the essence of Lagos.”
“Powerful ideas lead to movements that transform lives. Today, we welcome back @Tunde_OD , our chess champion, to Lagos,” he wrote on X.
