Nigerian Dancer Ends Seven-Day Marathon as Guinness Verification Begins
Nigerian dancer Benjamin Daniel, popularly known as Ben Dancer, has completed a seven-day dance marathon in Lagos, with his bid for a new Guinness World Records title now entering the verification stage.
Daniel danced for 168 hours at Freedom Park, surpassing the existing 127-hour record set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023. He continued for several hours after reaching the seven-day mark before ending the challenge at midday on Tuesday.
Guinness World Records has acknowledged Daniel’s application but has not yet declared the attempt a new record. The organisation will examine evidence submitted by his team before deciding whether the performance meets its requirements.
The 33-year-old, who has spent 18 years as a professional dancer, used the marathon to highlight Nigeria’s cultural diversity, incorporating Afrobeats, fuji, jazz and zouk alongside traditional dance styles and outfits. Supporters gathered at Freedom Park throughout the challenge as he performed.
Daniel underwent medical checks after completing the marathon. His preparation included fitness training, dietary adjustments, hydration and medical monitoring during the attempt, with scheduled rest periods built into the challenge. The record bid now shifts from the dance floor to Guinness World Records’ review process, which will determine whether the 168-hour performance earns official recognition.
