Nigerian dancer aims for GWR, completes 168-hour dance marathon
He is the latest to attempt the GWR, which has become familiar turf for Nigerians.
Contemporary dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, has completed his 168-hour dance marathon at Freedom Park, Lagos.
Gabriel wrapped up the nine-day endurance challenge in the early hours of Tuesday, September 29 after starting on September 21, in a bid to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dance marathon by an individual.
His 168-hour target, if verified, will surpass the current record of 127 hours set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.
The final hours at Freedom Park turned carnival-like as supporters, fellow dancers and well-wishers flooded the venue to witness the end of the marathon.
Videos from the closing moments have already gone viral on social media.
Gabriel is a professional dancer with 18 years’ experience across choreography, creative direction, modelling, fitness instruction and dance consultancy.
He founded Bendancer Academy International, which trains and mentors young dancers, and previously served as North-East Zonal Dance Coordinator for the Dance Guild of Nigeria.
He has also performed with Made Kuti and The Movement, where he is described as the first male dancer to perform in the Kuti family’s tradition at the New Afrika Shrine.
His performance history includes Felabration, the 2021 Big Brother Naija finale, and several international festivals.
Throughout the marathon, Bendancer showcased Nigeria’s cultural diversity, blending Afrobeats, fuji, jazz and zouk, and performing in traditional outfits, including agbada and dashiki. NigeriaInvestment Guide
Under Guinness World Records rules, he was allowed five minutes of rest per hour danced, which could be accumulated.
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