A 24-year-old Nigerian man, Oside Oluwole, popularly known as “Khoded,” has made history by setting a new Guinness World Record for the “longest video game marathon playing a soccer game.”
As reported on the Guinness World Records website on Tuesday, Oluwole played an impressive 75 hours straight, shattering the previous record of 50 hours held by Englishman David Whitefoot since 2022.
Oluwole, a biochemist-turned-car dealer from Ijebu Ode, chose Dream League Soccer 2023, a mobile game he has been passionate about since 2016, for his record-breaking attempt.
In a remarkable departure from previous record holders who used FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer, Oluwole achieved his feat playing on his iPhone connected to a TV screen.
“I thoroughly enjoyed playing for 75 hours straight, with only brief rest periods. It was a challenging but exhilarating experience. I’m thankful to God for the successful outcome,” Oluwole expressed.
Following Guinness World Records (GWR) rules, Oluwole was permitted a five-minute rest for every hour of gameplay. During his marathon session, he completed over 500 matches.
This record attempt was not merely for personal achievement; Oluwole also used the event to raise funds for a local hospital in his hometown.
Local officials, including Seun Adesanya from the Ogun State House of Assembly, lauded Oluwole’s dedication and determination. Adesanya commented, “The Guinness World Record for the longest videogame marathon playing a soccer game is a testament to Mr. Oluwole’s dedication, determination, and the countless hours of practice he invested in mastering the game.”
Oluwole’s accomplishment is particularly significant, as he shattered the previous record by an unprecedented margin. Since the record was first set in 2010 with a 24-hour time, it had been broken seven times over 11 years before reaching the 50-hour mark.
Inspired by Chef Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon that captivated Nigeria last year, Oluwole now aspires to set additional world records in soccer video games, including console games like FIFA and PES.