From Sweeping gutters to breaking records – Onakoya’s powerful story will move you

Guinness World Record holder for the longest marathon chess game by an individual, Tunde Onakoya, has opened up about the harsh realities of privilege in Nigeria, reflecting on his own struggles and pledging to change the life of a young girl.

Onakoya shared his thoughts after watching a viral video of a daughter assisting her mother in menial labour, calling it a heartbreaking display of hardship.

“Extremely cruel to humiliate a mother in front of her daughter like this. Even worse that this was recorded and posted on social media,” he lamented.

The chess champion recalled his own past, revealing how he once helped his mother sweep people’s houses and gutters in 2016, a time when they faced severe financial struggles.

“My mother used to sweep people’s houses and gutters in 2016. It hurt too much that I could do nothing financially to stop her. I often insisted on going with her, just to help fetch the water she needed so we could finish quicker and get back home before daylight. I didn’t want anyone to see us,” he shared.

In a powerful gesture, Onakoya announced that he would take full responsibility for the young girl’s education through university, hoping to ease the family’s burden.

“If no one has done this already, I would like to take full responsibility for the girl’s education through university. I hope this eases their burden in some way. These are incredibly hard times,” he stated.

Tunde Onakoya, a professional chess player, coach, and founder of Chess in Slums, made history on April 20, 2024, by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess game, cementing his legacy as both a champion and a humanitarian.