Guinness World Record: Davido, Sowore Turn Up To Support Chess Master, Onakoya

Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, also known as Davido, has showed up at the New York’s Times Square, to support Nigerian chess Master, Tunde Onakoya in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.

In a video making the rounds on social media, Davido and Onakoya could be seen embracing each other while the crowd gathered at the venue cheered on seeing the afrobeats star coming out to support a compatriot.

Among those who have also come out to support Onakoya include Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, popularly known as Adekunle Gold, Nigeria’s Consul-General in New York City, Ambassador Peter Egopija, and Omoyele Sowore among others.

Sharing updates on his X account on Thursday, Onakoya wrote, “Game number 100. 87 against my main opponent #CoachShawnMar. 13 against external challengers.

“We are now 31 hours in, with 27 to go! That puts us officially past the halfway mark. It’s looking possible now. Keep streaming, keep donating.”

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.

Onakoya is engaging in an intense chess marathon, aiming to play for 58 hours without a single defeat.

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.