Award-winning Nigerian contemporary dancer and choreographer, Benjamin Daniel Gabriel, professionally known as Ben Dancer, has recorded more than 176 hours of dance marathon, surpassing the 168-hour time target he set as he seeks to set a new Guinness World Records (GWR) mark for the longest dance marathon by an individual.  
  
The ambitious seven-day endurance challenge saw the 33-year-old founder of Bendancer Academy International dance continuously for more than 176 hours from Monday, September 21 to Sunday 27 at Freedom Park, Lagos. He ended the challenge at about noon on Tuesday, September 29, after continuing for more than nine hours beyond the seven-day mark he reached at about 3am.
  
His team said the timer recorded seven days, eight hours, 32 minutes and 59 seconds at the end of the challenge. However, Guinness World Records is yet to recognise Daniel as the new record holder. The organisation confirmed that his application was active and said evidence from the attempt would be reviewed before the record could be officially confirmed.
  
“Benjamin’s application is active and we now eagerly await submission of his evidence, which will then go through our official review and verification process before any record can be confirmed,” a Guinness World Records spokesperson told the BBC.
    
With over 18 years of professional dancing experience, the dancer incorporated various Nigerian dance styles and musical genres into his performance. Afrobeats featured prominently, alongside fuji, jazz and zouk.
  
During the quest, he was allowed five minutes of rest for every continuous hour of activity, while medical personnel were also present. He maintained hydration and ate lightly throughout the performance. Ahead of the attempt, he underwent fitness training and adjusted his diet to prepare for the physical demands of the marathon.
  
Shortly after completing the physically demanding challenge, Ben Dancer was taken to a hospital for a medical check-up.

The dance marathon attracted cheers from fans and alike, who gathered throughout the seven-day performance to watch and encourage the dancer.
  
Also, there was support from Inspiro Productions, which facilitated operational coverage, media access, and press logistics throughout the event. Other brands included Eventport, Aurelia African Fashion, Bethcare, Freedom Park, Robo Fitness, Bulux, The Kuti Family, Ishine Worldwide, Offbalance Podcast, and Guild of Nigerian Dancers (GOND), among others.
  
Speaking earlier on what inspired the attempt before he commenced the challenge, Ben Dancer said the marathon was designed to showcase not only physical endurance under strict Guinness World Records guidelines, but also the rich artistry and resilience of African dance culture.
  
“Dance has shaped every part of who I am. This attempt isn’t just about breaking a record; it’s about showing young people that with discipline, resilience, and belief, what seems impossible can become reality. I’m carrying the dreams of many creatives with me onto that stage. I hope this journey reminds every young African that their talent has the power to reach the world,” he said.
  
Ben Dancer’s career spans choreography, creative direction, dance consultancy, modeling, and fitness instruction. A key landmark in his career 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.
  
While he awaits the GWR validation and formal recognition, his team said the performance was designed to showcase Nigeria’s cultural diversity and the country’s different traditions and dance forms. The existing GWR title of 127 hours was set by Indian dancer Srushti Sudhir Jagtap in 2023.