GUINNESS World Records has confirmed Nigerian, Oside Oluwole, also known as Khoded, as setting a new Guinness World Record for the “longest videogame marathon playing a soccer game.”
The 24-year-old surpassed the previous record of 50 hours held by Englishman David Whitefoot since 2022, with an astonishing 75 hours.
The Guinness World Records stated this in a report on its website on Tuesday, July 16.
Unlike all the seven previous record holders who used FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer, Oluwole played on his iPhone, which was connected to a TV screen.
Oluwole, a qualified biochemist who now works as a car dealer, was reported to have attempted this record to raise money for a local hospital in his hometown of Ijebu Ode.
He was allowed five minutes of rest after every hour of gaming, During these breaks, he could eat, nap, or use the toilet, in accordance with the rules for all ‘longest marathon’ records.
The report also noted that Oside had been an avid fan of the free-to-play soccer sim since first downloading it in 2016, playing over 500 matches during his record attempt.
“I really enjoyed myself playing for 75 hours straight with just some hours of rest. It wasn’t an easy task, but I must say it was all fun. It was such a great moment; the event was very interesting and I’m grateful to God that it was successful,” Oluwole was quoted saying in the report.
GWR further noted that the new record holder was inspired to undertake this challenge by Chef Hilda Baci, whose record-breaking cook-a-thon captivated Nigeria last year.
In June 2023, Hilda Baci succeeded in her longest cooking attempt and was confirmed by the GWR.
Following her success, The ICIR reported how there has been an upsurge in the number of Nigerians pursuing GWR in the past year.
A Nigerian Chess Master, Tunde Onakoya, completed his attempt at the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon on April 20, playing the game of chess for 60 hours.
The chess master noted that he attempted to break the record in a bid to raise $1m (£805,000) for charity to support chess education for millions of children.
Also, the GWR in April 2024, confirmed Nigerian Clara Chizoba Kronborg, who recently broke the record for the longest interviewing marathon in 55 hours, 24 seconds.
According to GWR, Kronborg’s record attempt took place on a docked yacht in Marbella, Spain. She started on March 8 and ended on March 10, 2024.
Kronborg interviewed 90 people from different fields, including politicians, business owners, content creators, actors, and real estate agents. The interviews focused on how each guest achieved success in their respective fields.
Meanwhile, following the record-breaking soccer videogame Marathon event by Oluwole, Nigerians on social media, particularly on X, have lauded his feat of setting a new record and his remarkable display of perseverance.
Some also claimed that his recent achievement has also become a source of inspiration and pride for many.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M