NIGERIAN DANCER SETS SIGHTS ON 168-HOUR GUINNESS RECORD

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By:Aminat Tajudeen

Nigerian contemporary dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, is on the seventh and final day of a 168-hour dance marathon in Lagos as he attempts to break the Guinness World Records title for the longest dance marathon by an individual.

The 33-year-old began the endurance challenge at Freedom Park, Lagos, on September 21, with the 168-hour target expected to be completed early Tuesday, September 29.

If successful, Bendancer’s attempt would surpass the current published record of 127 hours, achieved by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.

The challenge has attracted significant public attention, with young Nigerians gathering at Freedom Park to support the dancer. Videos from the event have also generated widespread engagement on social media.

Gabriel has spent 18 years as a professional dancer and has worked in choreography, creative direction, dance consultancy, modelling and fitness instruction.

He is the founder of Bendancer Academy International, an organisation dedicated to training, mentoring and developing emerging dancers.

Before founding the academy, Gabriel served as the North-East Zonal Dance Coordinator of the Dance Guild of Nigeria, where he was involved in dance development and talent mentoring.

He has also performed with Made Kuti and The Movement. Reports describe him as the first and only male dancer to perform within the Kuti family’s performance tradition at the New Afrika Shrine.

His performance credits include Felabration, the 2021 Big Brother Naija finale, Trophy Shout International Festival, Global Citizenship and Project Asia.

Beyond the record attempt, Bendancer has said the challenge is also aimed at promoting Nigerian and African dance.

During the marathon, he has showcased different Nigerian dance styles and music genres, including Afrobeats, fuji, jazz and zouk. He has also worn traditional outfits such as agbada and dashiki as part of an effort to highlight Nigeria’s cultural diversity.

Guinness World Records rules for marathon records allow participants five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, with unused rest periods permitted to accumulate.

Bendancer has reportedly used the allocated rest periods in blocks while taking fluids and eating lightly throughout the challenge. A medical team has also been present at Freedom Park.

The event has attracted supporters and notable guests, including Made Kuti, while footage from the challenge continues to circulate online.

Although Bendancer is targeting 168 hours to surpass Jagtap’s 127-hour record, Guinness World Records has yet to confirm whether the attempt qualifies as an official new record.

The organisation will review the evidence submitted from the challenge before making a final determination.

Bendancer is now approaching the conclusion of the seven-day marathon as he seeks to make history with the record attempt in Lagos.