Meet Nigerian dancer attempting 168-hour Guinness World Record

Nigerian contemporary dancer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, widely known as Bendancer, is in the final stages of an unprecedented 168-hour dance marathon in Lagos, Nigeria. The 33-year-old has been dancing since September 21 and is expected to conclude the challenge early on September 29. If successful, Bendancer would surpass the existing Guinness World Record for the longest dance marathon by an individual, previously held by Srushti Sudhir Jagtap of India, who danced for 127 hours in 2023.

The endurance challenge, held at Freedom Park in Lagos, has attracted large crowds of young Nigerians who have gathered to support Bendancer. Videos from the event have gained significant attention on social media, contributing to the public interest in the ambitious undertaking. Gabriel, who has spent 18 years as a professional dancer, is the founder of the Bendancer Academy International, an organization dedicated to training, mentoring, and developing emerging dancers.

Before establishing the academy, he served as the North-East Zonal Dance Coordinator for the Dance Guild of Nigeria and has performed in various high-profile events and festivals.

Bendancer's goal is not just to break a record but also to promote Nigerian and African dance traditions. Throughout the marathon, he has incorporated various Nigerian dance styles, such as Afrobeats, fuji, jazz, and zouk, and has occasionally worn traditional outfits like agbada and dashiki. His team explains that the performance aims to showcase Nigeria's rich cultural diversity.

The Guinness World Records have yet to confirm whether Bendancer's attempt will officially qualify as a new record, pending an assessment of the evidence from the challenge.