Nigerian dancer Oluwatosin Solaru, who recently completed a Guinness World Record attempt for the longest dance marathon by an individual, has revealed that she drew her inspiration from veteran dancer Kafayat Shefau, popularly known as Kaffy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan on Wednesday, Solaru recalled how Kaffy’s historic achievement in 2006 motivated her to become a record-breaker.
“Then, I thought it had to be arranged and organised by an organisation like Silverbird or those who did hers,” she said.
She further explained that it wasn’t until Hilda Baci’s GWR attempt last year that she realized individuals could independently apply for such records.
“When Hilda Baci did hers last year, I met a friend who had also attempted a wash-a-thon, and I discovered it was something I could apply for; and it’s done,” she added.
Solaru lamented the lack of appreciation for talent in Nigeria, noting that many people still fail to recognize or support creatives in non-traditional fields.
“I had to do my part of making a clear statement that dance is beyond just a hobby,” she said.
NAN reports that Solaru commenced her dance marathon on June 22 and concluded on June 29 at the Nile Cinema, Royal Roots Mall, Ikota, Lagos.
She clarified misconceptions about the GWR categories, stating that not all dance records are the same.
“There was very little support prior to the event, but as soon as the second day of the attempt, we started seeing more support from home and online,” she noted.
“I am a professional actor and writer, a spoken words artist and an entrepreneur. In a rough estimate, it costs N3.5 million to put together the GWR performance,” she added.
At 30, Solaru said she is looking to collaborate with other dancers and plans to start outreach programs.
“I’ll be starting with my alma mater; I would love to have a series of workshops and seminars with at least 30 schools in Ogun and 20 in Lagos,” she said.
She acknowledged the support of her father, who had always shown interest in her career, while mentioning that her mother was initially sceptical.
The current official record for the longest dance marathon by an individual stands at 127 hours, set by Srushti Jagtap of India in 2023, who danced for five consecutive days at Dayanand College in Latur, Maharashtra.
Solaru surpassed that record with a 157-hour performance and is currently awaiting official ratification from Guinness World Records.
