New York-based non-profit organisation with the mission of distributing chess sets around the world, Gift of Chess, on Friday revealed that Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya experienced intense vomiting and stomach pain on Thursday during his ongoing marathon but refused to quit.
Onakoya is gunning for the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
The Nigerian is playing alongside his New York counterpart Shawn at the iconic Times Square.
Gift of Chess shared a photo on X of Onakoya lying in pain.
“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,” the post read.
Davido cheers as Tunde Onakoya continues chess marathon to break Guinness World Record
“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’s goal is to engage in uninterrupted play for 58 hours against his opponent, Martinez, as the purpose of the attempt is to raise $1 million to empower more children across Africa.
The exercise is due to end at 8pm Friday (US time).
