Nigerian dancer Benjamin Daniel, popularly known as Ben Dancer, has completed a seven-day dance marathon in Lagos, recording more than 176 hours as he seeks to set a new Guinness World Records title. Daniel ended the challenge at about noon on Tuesday at Freedom Park, Lagos, after continuing for more than nine hours beyond the seven-day mark he reached at about 3am. His team said the timer recorded seven days, eight hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds at the end of the challenge.
The 33-year-old had set a target of 168 hours, seeking to surpass the existing Guinness World Records title for the longest dance marathon by an individual, which stands at 127 hours. Daniel, who has 18 years of professional dancing experience, incorporated various Nigerian dance styles and musical genres into the performance. Afrobeats featured prominently, alongside fuji, jazz and zouk, while Daniel also wore traditional Nigerian outfits, including agbada and dashiki.
The marathon attracted supporters to Freedom Park, who gathered throughout the seven-day performance to watch and encourage the dancer. Daniel's team said the performance was designed to showcase Nigeria's cultural diversity and the country's different traditions and dance forms. Ahead of the attempt, Daniel underwent fitness training and adjusted his diet to prepare for the physical demands of the marathon.
During the challenge, Daniel was allowed five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, while medical personnel were also present. He maintained hydration and ate lightly throughout the performance. Daniel was taken to hospital for a medical check-up after completing the physically demanding challenge.
The existing Guinness World Records title of 127 hours was set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023. Daniel's evidence will now be submitted to Guinness World Records for review and verification before his attempt can be officially recognised as a new record. A Guinness World Records spokesperson confirmed that Daniel's application was active and said evidence from the attempt would be reviewed before the record could be officially confirmed.
The spokesperson told the BBC that "Benjamin's application is active and we now eagerly await submission of his evidence, which will then go through our official review and verification process before any record can be confirmed." Daniel's achievement has generated significant interest, with many Nigerians and international supporters congratulating him on his remarkable feat.
With his dance marathon, Daniel aimed to promote Nigerian culture and showcase the country's rich musical heritage. As he awaits official recognition from Guinness World Records, Daniel's achievement has already inspired many, demonstrating his dedication and perseverance in the face of a physically demanding challenge.
Key points
- Daniel completed a 176-hour dance marathon in Lagos.
- The existing record for longest dance marathon stands at 127 hours.
- Guinness World Records will review Daniel's evidence before confirming his record.
