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Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, Tunde Onakoya, has set a 64-Hour chess marathon world record.

The new record set by Onakoya and his chess partner, Shawn Martinez, at Times Square, New York, broke the 61-hour record achieved by the chess marathon record of 61 hours, 3 minutes, and 34 seconds, set by two Norwegian players, Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, in June 2024.

The four-day non-stop gameplay, which originally targeted 70 hours, started on April 17.

READ ALSO:  70-Hour Chess marathon: Tunde Onakoya Breaks Record Set by Norwegians

In a post on his X handle, where he shared photos of his new feat, he said, “It is possible to do great things from a small place”.

The official certificate from Guinness World Records shared by Onakoya and confirming the new record read, “The longest chess marathon was achieved by Tunde Onakoya (Nigeria) and Shawn Martinez (Puerto Rico) in Times Square, New York, New York, USA from 17 to 20 April 2025. ”

More Than Personal Feat

Onakoya, 30, who gained global recognition in April 2024 for completing a 60-hour chess marathon with Martinez, a US chess master, had earlier revealed that his upcoming attempt was not just about records.

“We’re not just doing this for ourselves—we’re doing it for a million dreams. We want to build the biggest preschool in Africa for homeless children.

“The hardest part isn’t staying awake for three days—because a million dreams will do that. But now, more than ever, we need everyone’s support. If you’re in New York, show up at Times Square. Come support us. Help us inspire the world and show the world that it is indeed possible to do great things from a small place.

“My dream is to inspire the world and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria,” he added.

During his record-setting performance in 2024, the Nigerian community in New York turned out in a show of support, offering traditional meals like jollof rice and music. Nigerian superstar, Davido, also publicly supported him and presented him with a 30BG chain.

Back in Nigeria, Vice President Kashim Shettima commended him, stating that his feat was a symbol of “excellence and resilience that distinguishes Nigerians both locally and internationally. ”

Similarly, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, highlighted that the attempt was “a strong testimony to how greatness can come from anywhere. ”

That initial effort, which doubled as a $1 million fundraising campaign, helped elevate Onakoya’s Chess in Slums Africa initiative — a movement he says has provided education and lifelong scholarships to over 200 children across Nigeria. The funds raised were also used to distribute one million chess sets to impoverished communities, in partnership with The Gift of Chess.

READ ALSO:  Tunde Onakoya Eyes 70-hour Chess Marathon With Slum Kids

In a January 2024 interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Onakoya said growing up in poverty taught him empathy because the real pain wasn’t just lacking money, but being cut off from things like education and justice. He said this experience drives his passion to help others, adding that he wants to be the kind of person he needed when he was younger.

A self-taught chess master, Onakoya learnt the game in a barber’s shop. Raised in modest circumstances by a mother who worked as a cleaner to support his education, he went on to study computer science at Yaba College of Technology.

Throughout his journey, the Lagos-born chess champion has received national and international acclaim. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, appointed him in April 2024 as the state’s sports ambassador and likened his cause to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives.

Leicester City were relegated from the Premier League as Liverpool moved to within one win of the title on Sunday with a 1-0 victory at the King Power.

Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to score the only goal 14 minutes from time as the Reds moved to the brink of a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

Liverpool could be crowned champions on Wednesday should Arsenal lose at home to Crystal Palace.

READ ALSO: Man Utd ‘Lack A Lot Of Things’ To Win Games, Says Amorim

If the Gunners avoid defeat, Arne Slot’s men have the chance to seal the deal when Tottenham visit Anfield next Sunday.

Leicester have not scored a single goal at home since December as nine consecutive defeats at the King Power have taken Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men down.

A Liverpool cruise seemed in store when Mohamed Salah hit both posts with a glorious chance inside the first two minutes.

But after storming clear of the chasing pack in Slot’s early months in charge to build a near-unassailable lead, Liverpool have slowed in recent weeks as the finish line approaches.

Wilfred Ndidi came close to ending Leicester’s barren run with a low strike that came back off the post.

Liverpool struggled to create from open play in what remained of the first half.

Ibrahima Konate came closest to breaking the deadlock when Ndidi hooked clear his goalbound header from a corner.

The visitors upped the tempo at the start of the second period.

Kostas Tsimikas should have done better when he fired straight at Mads Hermansen.

At the other end Leicester did finally have the ball in the net but Patson Daka had fouled Alisson Becker before Connor Coady headed into an unguarded net.

– Woodwork –

Slot introduced Alexander-Arnold for the final 20 minutes on his return from a five-week absence due to an ankle injury.

The right-back took just five minutes to score his 23rd and potentially last goal for his boyhood club.

Salah and Diogo Jota somehow contrived to hit the woodwork rather than the net from point-blank range as Leicester struggled to clear a corner.

The loose ball broke to Alexander-Arnold, whose shot went straight through the grasp of Hermansen.

Alexander-Arnold ripped off his shirt in a wild celebration in front of the Liverpool fans.

Unlike Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk, who have signed new contracts to remain at Liverpool for the next two years, the England international still seems set to depart after reportedly agreeing terms of a free transfer move to Real Madrid.

Leicester still had a chance to snatch an unlikely point.

But Facundo Buonanotte’s wasteful finish with just Alisson to beat summed up their season to forget.

Champions of England just nine years ago, the Foxes have found life back in the top-flight far too much of a step up in class after romping to the Championship title last season.

They join Southampton, whose relegation was confirmed with a record seven games to go, in an immediate return to the second tier.

Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim, has admitted his side lacks several critical elements to win games and be considered title contenders in the Premier League.

Amorim’s statement is coming after United suffered its 15th Premier League defeat of the season on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford.

”I will tell the fans the truth that we lack a lot of things in our team, that we have missed a lot of chances and that if we don’t score goals, we are not going to win. We have a lot to do,’ the United boss said in a post-match conference when asked if his side has what it takes to be considered a good team.

“We create a lot of chances, we had a game, we control the game, we blocked some good players from the opponent, and one set piece changes the game, and that’s it. It’s really frustrating to end the game like this. ”

Amorim said he was frustrated with the outcome of the match and his side deserved better.

“If you look at the game, we were the better team, but in the end, it doesn’t matter because if we don’t score goals, nothing matters. In the end, what counts is the result, especially in these kinds of moments. ”

Rasmus Hojlund has faced criticism for his underperformance, managing only one goal in 28 games and registering in six of his 45 appearances for the club this season.

Despite calls from various quarters to search for better options, with Joshua Zirkzee suffering an injury, the Portuguese has indicated that he is not prepared to leave out Hojlund, as the problems are team-based

“I think again it’s a team thing. Of course, we have an idea of what this team needs, but also the guys we play with, at least three guys in front, they can score goals. We play with midfielders who can reach, and you see it today in the game.

“All the team needs to score more goals, and you have opportunities with the midfielders, with the striker, we need to improve as a team. If you do not score goals in this league, it is impossible to win games.

Amorim was, however, optimistic that things would soon turn around for the club, stating that the fans should expect a better outing in the coming games.

Arsenal made Liverpool wait to be crowned Premier League champions as Leandro Trossard inspired a 4-0 win that pushed Ipswich to the brink of relegation on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side cruised to their first victory in three league games thanks to Trossard’s double and goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri at Portman Road.

Ipswich played more than half the match with 10 men after Leif Davis was sent off for a crude lunge on Bukayo Saka.

Second-placed Arsenal are 10 points behind leaders Liverpool, who need six points from their remaining six games to be crowned English champions for a record-equalling 20th time.

Liverpool could have won the title at Leicester on Sunday if Arsenal had lost to Ipswich, but while it is only a matter of time before Arne Slot’s men lift the trophy, the Gunners have their own holy grail to chase.

Arsenal have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009, booking a clash with Paris Saint-Germain after eliminating holders Real Madrid in the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Their 5-1 aggregate triumph against the most successful club in Champions League history was a significant statement as they look to win the tournament for the first time.

The north Londoners, whose only Champions League final appearance ended in defeat against Barcelona in 2006, are bidding to win their first trophy since the 2020 FA Cup.

After finishing as runners-up to Manchester City for the last two seasons, Arteta’s team are likely to end in second place once again.

They effectively gifted the title to Liverpool with a dismal run of two wins from their previous seven league games before arriving at Portman Road.

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna had acknowledged that relegation was already inevitable, just 12 months after their unexpected promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 22 years.

Third-bottom Ipswich are now all but down, sitting 15 points from safety with only five games left and a vastly inferior goal difference to fourth-bottom West Ham.

  Trossard makes his point

Ipswich had lost all six of their home league games in 2025 and Arsenal preyed on their myriad weaknesses by monopolising 89 percent of the early possession.

It was no surprise when the Gunners took the lead with an immaculately crafted move in the 14th minute.

Martin Odegaard injected urgency into the attack with a burst from midfield, passing to Saka, whose low cross reached Trossard as the Belgian forward prodded a low finish into the far corner from 10 yards.

Arsenal didn’t have to wait long for a second goal as Martinelli struck in the 28th minute.

Underlining how much Arsenal missed him during his long injury absence this season, Saka was the catalyst with a typically incisive surge past Jacob Greaves.

Saka’s pass was deftly back-heeled by Mikel Merino into Martinelli’s path and the Brazilian drilled emphatically past Alex Palmer.

Saka was proving unplayable and Davis responded with an ugly foul that left the England winger writhing in pain and triggered the defender’s 32nd minute dismissal.

Saka eased Arsenal’s fears as he hopped to his feet and resumed with a curler that whistled just wide.

With Arsenal in total control, Arteta replaced Saka in the second half to keep him fresh for bigger challenges ahead.

Arsenal barely needed to get out of first gear such was their superiority, but Trossard is playing for a place against PSG and he made his point to Arteta in the 69th minute.

Declan Rice found Trossard in the area and he shifted into space before guiding a clinical finish into the far corner.

Nwaneri capped Arsenal’s commanding performance in 88th minute, the young striker punishing Ipswich’s woeful marking with a shot that deflected past Palmer from inside the area.