Lagos Dance Marathon Record
Nigerian Dancer Ben Gabriel Reportedly Exceeds 168-Hour Marathon Goal in Lagos
Anonymous
Nigerian dancer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, known as Ben Dancer, is undertaking a weeklong dance marathon at Freedom Park in Lagos, aiming to surpass the 127-hour individual record set by India’s Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023. His stated goal is 168 hours, though one account reported that he had danced for more than 176 hours by Tuesday. Guinness World Records had not confirmed whether the attempt would qualify for official recognition. Crowds have gathered to cheer him on as he dances to Nigerian and other music and incorporates traditional clothing and dance styles. Gabriel and his team say the challenge aims to showcase Nigeria’s cultural diversity and promote African dance internationally; he is taking scheduled rest breaks and has medical support.
Key Points
1
Gabriel began preparing for the record attempt in 2022 with gym work, pain and endurance training, and sleep-deprivation exercises. Organisers were concerned after he developed a knee problem three weeks before the marathon, although the attending doctor said he had no major health complaints during the seven-day challenge.
2
Gabriel has worked professionally as a dancer for 18 years and founded Bendancer Academy International to train and mentor emerging dancers. He previously served as the Dance Guild of Nigeria’s North-East Zonal Dance Coordinator.
3
Gabriel performs with Made Kuti and The Movement; reports describe him as the first and only male dancer to perform within the Kuti family’s performance tradition at the New Afrika Shrine. His credits also include Felabration and the 2021 Big Brother Naija finale.
4
Spectator Uche Anumudu told the BBC: “Seeing how far he has come and witnessing him achieve this feat made me incredibly proud and grateful to God.”
Sentiment
Mostly PositiveNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
16
Articles
14
Reach
30
A
AnonymousAuthor
