Nigerian dancer reaches final day of planned 168-hour Lagos marathon
Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, known as Bendancer, is on the seventh and final day of a planned 168-hour dance marathon at Freedom Park in Lagos. The challenge is intended to exceed the published individual record of 127 hours, although Guinness World Records has not yet confirmed whether the attempt qualifies.
Nigerian dancer and choreographer Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, has entered the seventh and final day of a planned 168-hour dance marathon in Lagos, as he seeks recognition for the longest individual dance marathon. Gabriel, 33, began the endurance performance at Freedom Park on September 21 and is expected to complete the 168-hour target early on Tuesday, September 29. If achieved and subsequently approved, the target would exceed the current published record of 127 hours, set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.
The performance has attracted crowds to Freedom Park, where young Nigerians have gathered to support the dancer. Videos from the event have also circulated widely on social media, turning the challenge into a public spectacle. Gabriel has worked professionally as a dancer for 18 years.
His activities include choreography, creative direction, dance consultancy, modelling and fitness instruction. He is also the founder of Bendancer Academy International, which trains and mentors emerging dancers. During the marathon, he has incorporated Nigerian dance traditions and several musical styles, including Afrobeats, fuji, jazz and zouk.
At points, he has worn traditional clothing such as agbada and dashiki. His team said the performance was designed to represent Nigeria’s cultural diversity and promote Nigerian and African dance. The rules for marathon records allow five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, with unused rest time able to be accumulated.
Bendancer has reportedly taken rest in blocks, consumed fluids and eaten lightly. A medical team has been present at the venue. Guinness World Records has not confirmed that the attempt qualifies as an official record.
The organisation will need to assess evidence from the event before reaching a decision.
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