A ball on his head, Harrison Chinedu, walked a distance of 48.04km to write his name in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest distance traveled while balancing a football.
He beat an Indian soldier’s record, Naib Singh, who traveled a distance of 45.6km in his country in 2014, to beat Bangladesh’s Abdul Halim, whose journey covered 15.2km, in 2011.
And now Chinedu wants to do it again and this time, he has dialed it up a notch. In addition to football balance, Chinedu plans to cycle while balancing a ball on his head for a distance of 100km, on November 20.
In an interview with The Guardian this week, in Lagos Chinedu said that the November 20 event in Lagos would kick-off at Akodo in far end of Lekki around Eleko Bench and end at the National Stadium in Surulere.
Chinedu’s previous achievement was witnessed by supporters and fans who cheered the Cambodian-based player on as he walked to victory on March, 2016. He walked from the Redemption Camp, Mowe, Ogun State to the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, in six hours and fifteen minutes.
Speaking on the next challenge, veteran sports journalist, Effiong Nyom, said, “This event on November 20 is the first of two attempts in 2016.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”This idea of balancing the ball on his head and riding a bicycle over a distance has not been done before.”[/perfectpullquote]
“It is purely a creative by Chinedu and has been approved by Guinness World Record. Another event will hold in Calabar, in December.”
Chinedu’s creative approach to the sport has earned him national popularity and support. Ball juggling has always been a deep rooted passion according to the player, since childhood.
“With the ball on my head, I can conveniently do anything and the ball will not fall down.
“My biggest motivation was that I believe in showcasing my God-given talent.
“I know I have the skill and I want to show the world what I can do,” said Chinedu.
Conveniently for the Nigerian, his previous achievement got him the support and motivation Chinedu needed, to carry out his journey in March. Ladipo Sports Foundation helped sponsor Chinedu as well as, making the event a reality.
Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, president of the Foundation and of Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club then said, “It’s not easy putting money on him, but having seen Chinedu walk from the Redemption Camp to the National Stadium twice, before he now did the official walking on Sunday, we believed that he is the right man.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We approached the officials of the Guinness Book of World Records who gave their approval and the conditions that must be met before, during and after the exercise. I’m happy to say that we met all these conditions.”[/perfectpullquote]
Dr. Ladipo explained the technical process and said, “We had on ground three FIFA badged referees led by the President of Nigerian Football Referees Association, to monitor Chinedu during the walk, with officials of Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), with many journalists also present.
“A Nigerian licensed surveyor authenticated the distance covered by Chinedu.”
Dr. Demola Ali represented Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, to kick off the race. Bet9ja, a leading betting brand in Nigeria, National Sports Commission and Lagos State Governor, were reported to have backed the walk.
As if the distance was not enough to elate spectators, it’s the way Chinedu concluded his race that wowed and delighted the viewers.
“What surprised everybody was that after walking the distance from the Redemption Camp, passing through heavy traffic along the expressway and reaching the stadium, the boy did another 17 inside the main bowl of the stadium. He thereafter had his bath and put on his clothes with the ball on his head. This was awesome,” said an impressed Ladipo.
Come November 20, Nigeria will eagerly await to post another stamp on the world map, an objective Oladipo Foundation and other organizations want to help enforce. Dr. Ladipo also expressed interest in helping Chinedu reach greater heights in his career, pledging support from the foundation.
“There have been some inquiries from some companies coming with proposals to endorse Chinedu as their ambassador. I believe very soon that this guy will go places. On our own part, we are going to sponsor him to Tafisa 2016 Championship,” Ladipo said.
Chinedu’s World Record achievement has also encouraged support for Nigeria’s young talent, who are unable to realize their dream.
“We are also committed to helping any talented Nigerian youth put the country’s name on the world map,” added Ladipo.
Good luck Chinedu!
Featured Photo: Harrison Chinedu making a Guinness World Record. He seeks another record in November. (Bet9ja)
