A Nigerian dancer, Benjamin Daniel, or Ben Dancer, has embarked on a 7-day dance marathon in Lagos to set a new Guinness World Record. His attempt, which began on Tuesday, 22 September, aims to surpass the current record of 127 hours set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023. Ben Dancer, 33, has been dancing professionally for 18 years and has drawn on Nigeria's rich dance traditions, including Afrobeats, fuji, jazz, and zouk.
The dance marathon, taking place at Freedom Park in Lagos, has attracted large crowds of young people who gather to cheer Ben Dancer on and film his every move. Uche Anumudu, one of the spectators, expressed her pride and gratitude, saying it's a beautiful moment to witness Ben Dancer achieve this feat. Ben Dancer's team says the performance is intended to reflect Nigeria's cultural diversity, showcasing its 250 ethnic groups and various traditions.
To prepare for the marathon, Ben Dancer underwent intensive fitness training, changing his diet to focus on carbohydrates and cardiovascular conditioning. During the attempt, he has been eating lightly and drinking fluids while taking permitted five-minute rests for every continuous hour of activity. A medical team has been present at Freedom Park to provide assistance when needed, and Ben Dancer has chosen to dance for several hours at a time before taking his accumulated rest.
The scene around Ben Dancer has become a street party, with crowds gathering to cheer him on and videos of the attempt going viral on social media platforms. Moronumubo Akodu, a supporter, expressed her admiration for Ben Dancer's determination but also her concern about the physical toll of the marathon. Emmanuel Ulelu, another visitor, noticed a change in Ben Dancer's energy levels over time, saying he appeared more energetic on day five than on day two.
Nigeria has a strong relationship with Guinness World Records, particularly in entertainment. In 2023, Nigerian chef Hilda Baci cooked continuously for 93 hours and 11 minutes in Lagos, setting a new record that Guinness officially recognized. Her achievement sparked a surge of interest in record attempts in Nigeria, with over 1,500 new applications submitted to Guinness within two months.
Ben Dancer's attempt is not just a test of physical endurance but also a celebration of Nigerian culture. His team says he has been swapping his dance clothes for traditional Nigerian outfits, including the agbada and dashiki. The Guinness World Records organization has yet to confirm whether Ben Dancer's attempt qualifies as an official record, and the BBC has contacted the organization for comment.
If Ben Dancer completes the planned 168 hours, he is due to reach his target early on Tuesday morning. His achievement, if recognized, would not only set a new Guinness World Record but also contribute to Nigeria's growing reputation for record attempts in entertainment. The country has seen a rise in interest in record-breaking activities, and Ben Dancer's dance marathon is the latest example of this trend.
Key points
- Ben Dancer aims to dance for 168 hours to break the current Guinness World Record for the longest individual dance marathon.
- The current record is 127 hours, set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.
- Ben Dancer's attempt is intended to reflect Nigeria's cultural diversity and has attracted large crowds of supporters in Lagos.
