Nigerian dancer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Ben Dancer, has completed a seven-day dance marathon in Lagos as he seeks to set a new Guinness World Records title for the longest dance marathon by an individual.
Daniel concluded the physically demanding challenge at about noon on Tuesday at Freedom Park, Lagos, after dancing for more than seven days. His team said the final time recorded was seven days, eight hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds.
The 33-year-old had initially set a target of 168 hours, hoping to surpass the existing Guinness World Records mark of 127 hours, achieved by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.
However, Guinness World Records has not yet officially declared Daniel the new record holder.
A spokesperson for Guinness told the BBC that Daniel's application remains active and that evidence from the attempt must be submitted and reviewed through the organisation's verification process before any new record can be confirmed.
Nigerian culture takes centre stage
Throughout the marathon, Ben Dancer incorporated different Nigerian dance styles and musical genres into his performance.
Afrobeats featured prominently, alongside fuji, jazz and zouk. He also appeared at various points in traditional Nigerian outfits, including agbada and dashiki.
According to his team, the performance was designed not only to test his endurance but also to showcase Nigeria's cultural diversity and different dance traditions.
The challenge attracted large crowds to Freedom Park, with supporters gathering throughout the seven-day performance to encourage the dancer. Videos from the event also circulated widely on social media.
How he managed the challenge
Daniel had reportedly undergone physical training and adjusted his diet ahead of the attempt in preparation for the demands of the marathon.
During the challenge, he was allowed five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity. He also maintained hydration and ate lightly, while medical personnel remained available at the venue.
Following the completion of the marathon, Daniel was taken to hospital for a medical check-up.
His evidence will now be submitted to Guinness World Records for assessment. Until the organisation completes its review, the 127-hour mark remains the officially recognised record.
https://www.lagoslately.com/nigerian-dancer-ben-dancer-completes-seven-day-gwr-marathon-in-lagos/
