I almost gave up the Chess marathon race – Tunde Onakoya

Chess master and world record breaker, Tunde Onakoya has said he almost gave up the race of breaking the world record as his health almost failed him.

Tunde, in New York, USA, who played for 60 hours nonstop, broke the world record few days ago, for longest chess marathon surpassing the previous world record set at 56 hours.

But achieving this feat was not cheese and cake as Tunde said he almost didn’t continue with the race.

He said, “I had woken up in the middle of the night some two weeks ago, cancelled my

ight 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 permission -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 o 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. A er all, I had taught them that it was possible to do great things from a small place against all odds.”

Tunde said he got so ill on the day of the attempt, but he was determined not to give up.

“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 owers 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.

“A er 60 hours of mental torture, we set a new record for the longest chess marathon in the world. We pushed human limitation 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.”

Tunde used the opportunity to thank Nigerians and his fans for their love and support.

“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.

ank you.”