an contemporary dancer, choreographer and founder of Bendancer Academy International, Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, popularly known as Bendancer, has set a new Guinness World Record for the Longest Dance Marathon by an Individual, dancing non-stop for 168 hours, a full seven days, at Freedom Park, Lagos, from September 21 to 27.
The attempt was backed by Inspiro Productions, which handled media access, operational coverage and press logistics throughout the week, alongside partners including Eventport, Aurelia African Fashion, Bethcare, Freedom Park, Robo Fitness, Bulux, The Kuti Family, Ishine Worldwide, Offbalance Podcast and Gond. The feat was designed to demonstrate not just physical stamina under strict Guinness World Records rules, but also the richness and resilience of African dance culture.
Speaking ahead of the attempt, Bendancer said dance has shaped every part of who he is, and that the challenge was never just about breaking a record, but about showing young people that discipline, resilience and belief can turn the impossible into reality. He described carrying the dreams of many creatives with him onto that stage, hoping the journey would remind every young African that their talent has the power to reach the world.
With over 18 years of professional experience spanning choreography, creative direction, dance consultancy, modelling and fitness instruction, Bendancer has built a career on using movement as a form of storytelling. A major milestone came when he joined Made Kuti and The Movement, making history as the first and only male dance artiste to perform within the Kuti family tradition at the iconic New Afrika Shrine. He also previously served as the North East Zonal Dance Coordinator for the Dance Guild of Nigeria.
The record adds Bendancer’s name to a growing list of Nigerians who have taken on Guinness World Records challenges in recent years, from Hilda Baci’s cooking marathon to Tunde Onakoya’s chess marathon, turning record attempts into national moments followed both in person and online. For Bendancer, the seven days at Freedom Park were the culmination of a career built on pushing what African dance is seen to be capable of, one hour, and one more hour, at a time.
