Nigerian dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, has reached the final stretch of an ambitious 168-hour dance marathon in Lagos as he attempts to set a new Guinness World Records title.
The 33-year-old began the endurance challenge at Freedom Park, Lagos, on September 21, 2026, with the goal of dancing continuously within the rules of the marathon record category for seven days.
As of Tuesday, September 29, Bendancer was on the seventh and final day of the challenge, with supporters gathering at the venue to encourage him as he approached the 168-hour mark.
If the attempt is successfully verified by Guinness World Records, Bendancer’s target would exceed the organisation’s currently published record of 127 hours, achieved by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.
However, completing the physical challenge does not automatically mean a new Guinness World Records title has been secured. The organisation will have to review evidence from the attempt and determine whether all the applicable rules were followed before officially recognising any record.
Bendancer has also used the marathon to showcase Nigerian and African culture, incorporating different dance styles and music genres into his performance. His routines have reportedly included Afrobeats, fuji, jazz and zouk, alongside appearances in traditional Nigerian outfits such as agbada and dashiki.
Beyond the record attempt, the dancer has presented the event as an opportunity to promote Nigerian dance and highlight the country’s cultural diversity.
Bendancer has spent about 18 years as a professional dancer and has worked in choreography, creative direction, dance consultancy, modelling and fitness instruction. He is also the founder of Bendancer Academy International, where he trains and mentors aspiring dancers.
His career has included performances connected to Made Kuti and The Movement, as well as appearances at events including Felabration and the Big Brother Naija 2021 finale.
The endurance challenge has attracted considerable attention online, with videos from Freedom Park showing supporters cheering Bendancer on throughout the marathon. Musician Made Kuti has also been among the personalities associated with the event.
To manage the extreme duration of the challenge, Bendancer has reportedly been using the rest periods permitted under Guinness World Records’ marathon guidelines. The rules allow competitors five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, with unused rest time capable of being accumulated.
A medical team has reportedly remained available at the venue, while Bendancer has taken fluids and light food during the challenge.
With the 168-hour target now within reach, attention is turning to whether he will successfully complete the marathon and, ultimately, whether Guinness World Records will certify the attempt as a new official record.
