A Nigerian reader sets a new world record by reading out loud for an incredible 215 hours, showcasing extraordinary endurance and passion for literature.
Samson Ajao, a 27-year-old Nigerian, has been declared the new holder of the Guinness World Records (GWR) for reading aloud continuously. He set an impressive record by clocking in at 215 hours or just under nine full days.
Ajao, hailing from Osogbo in the Nigerian state of Osun, surpassed the previous record set by Rysbai Isakov (Kyrgyzstan) in 2022 of a duration of 124 hours.
According to a statement by GWR on Wednesday, Ajao accomplished this feat of setting a record by reading published works out loud without pausing for more than 30 seconds between each item.
In total, he perused roughly 100 books encompassing various subjects including finance, sales, management, leadership, politics and matters pertaining to overall health as well as mental wellbeing.
In an effort to encourage literacy development and foster a “reading culture” in Nigeria, he made an attempt at breaking this record.
During his record attempt, Samson drew in a large audience which included Ngozi Adeleke, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and Dipo Eluwole, Education Commissioner.
According to the regulations for all “longest marathon” achievements, Samson was permitted five minutes of break time following each hour spent reading. This added up to a total of two hours per day during which he could eat, sleep, use the restroom or change his attire. The organization made this statement.
According to the new world record holder, one must continue moving forward in order to achieve their goal even during difficult times.
Ajao consulted medical experts for guidance on what types of food and beverages would be conducive to maintaining the clarity of his voice while also reducing the frequency with which he needed restroom breaks prior to making his record-breaking attempt.
Following the successful “read-a-thon,” Ajao and his followers marched jubilantly through the streets.
Ajao’s parents were among the celebrants and they both conveyed their pride in their son’s achievement.
Dating back to 1987, this record boasts a significant history. During a “bard-a-thon” lasting 110 hours and 46 minutes, Englishman Adrian Hilton recited the complete works of Shakespeare in its entirety.
In 2008, Deepak Sharma Bajagain from Nepal won the championship with a recorded time of 113 hours and 15 minutes. However, Rysbai Isakov broke his predecessor’s record by nearly eleven hours.
According to the organization, Samson’s record has overshadowed these impressive achievements. It is not only recognized as the world’s longest marathon reading aloud but also holds one of the lengthiest records in Guinness World Records history. The only recent challenge that surpassed it was DJ Faber Moreira’s 10-day DJ-ing marathon.
