In an extraordinary display of stamina, passion, and cultural pride, 33-year-old Nigerian dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, has officially completed a grueling seven-day dance marathon in Lagos in his bid to secure a Guinness World Record!
The high-energy endurance challenge kicked off at the iconic Freedom Park in Lagos and saw the veteran performer dance continuously for over 176 hours. Pushing far past his original 168-hour target, his final clock stopped at seven days, eight hours, 32 minutes, and 59 seconds—surpassing the current published record of 127 hours held by India’s Srushti Sudhir Jagtap.
Throughout the intense seven-day marathon, crowds of cheering fans, fellow dancers, and cultural enthusiasts gathered at Freedom Park to cheer him on. Drawing on his 18 years of professional experience, Benjamin showcased the rich diversity of Nigerian music and heritage, moving seamlessly between Afrobeats, Fuji, Jazz, and Zouk while clad in vibrant traditional attire. Adhering strictly to official guidelines, he utilized just five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of dancing, supported closely by a medical crew.
While the physical feat has concluded and all evidence has been submitted to Guinness World Records for official verification, Nigerians across social media are already celebrating Bendancer as a true national champion who put African dance on the global map.
Do you think Benjamin Daniel’s unbelievable 176-hour record attempt will be officially ratified by Guinness World Records? Drop your congratulatory messages in the comment section below!
