Nigerian dancer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Ben Dancer, has completed a gruelling 168-hour dance marathon in Lagos, marking a major milestone in his bid to set a new Guinness World Records title.
The 33-year-old dancer completed the seven-day challenge at Freedom Park, Lagos, on Tuesday, September 29, after dancing for an entire week in an attempt to break the record for the longest dance marathon by an individual.
Ben Dancer began the challenge on September 22, targeting 168 hours, which is 41 hours longer than the existing record of 127 hours set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.
According to reports, he reached the seven-day mark at approximately 3 a.m. but continued dancing for another nine hours before bringing the marathon to an end around noon.
The achievement attracted significant attention, with crowds gathering at Freedom Park to cheer him on throughout the challenge. Videos of his performance also circulated widely on social media, drawing support from Nigerians and dance enthusiasts.
Throughout the marathon, Ben Dancer incorporated various Nigerian dance styles and musical genres, including Afrobeats, Fuji, jazz and zouk, while showcasing traditional outfits such as agbada and dashiki.
His team explained that the performance was designed not only to test his physical endurance but also to celebrate Nigeria’s cultural diversity and promote African dance on the global stage.
To manage the physical demands of the challenge, the dancer underwent intensive fitness training before the attempt. He was also permitted five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of dancing, in line with Guinness World Records’ marathon guidelines.
Medical personnel were present at the venue throughout the event to monitor his condition, and he was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation after completing the challenge.
Despite completing the 168-hour target, his achievement is yet to receive official recognition from Guinness World Records.
A spokesperson for the organisation confirmed that Ben Dancer’s application remains active, adding that the submitted evidence would undergo an official review and verification process before any record could be confirmed.
Ben Dancer, who has over 18 years of professional experience, is a choreographer and founder of Bendancer Academy International, an organisation dedicated to training and mentoring emerging dancers
His latest feat has added to Nigeria’s growing list of record-breaking attempts, further highlighting the country’s vibrant entertainment industry and the determination of its creative talents to gain international recognition.
ALSO READ:Why Poco Lee’s UK Court Hearing Moved to February 2027
Hope you find the Above publication useful, Calabargist will love to keep you updated via our newsletter by subscribing with your email.
