Guinness World Records: Top Six Records Held by African Sportspersons, Eliud Kipchoge Included

• Eliud Kipchoge and Stephen Keshi lead a list of Africans who hold some of the top Guinness World Records
• The late Keshi won the Africa Cup of Nations both as a coach and as a captain
• Kipchoge is among the many high-profile athletes from East Africa who have dominated world athletics

The Guinness World Records are just a preserve for a few people who have achieved tremendous success in their different fields.

Over the years, Africans have managed to scale up and make a name for themselves in such lists despite the gulf in things like technological advancements.

Africa has, for one, dominated athletics events, with East Africa especially a force to reckon with. Sports Brief takes a look at some of the Guinness World Records held by African sportspersons.

1. Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya)

Probably one of the most celebrated African personalities by virtue of being the greatest ever marathoner the world has ever seen. Kipchoge has broken the marathon record a couple of times. It now stands at 2:01.09, which he set last year.

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He is also the only human being to have run 42 kilometres under 2 hours under special conditions when he clocked 1:59.40 in 2019.

2. Stephen Keshi (Nigeria)

Stephen Keshi is arguably one of Africa's most decorated sons as far as football is concerned. The legendary late head coach became the youngest person to win the Africa Cup of Nations both as a captain and as a coach.

He was the captain in the 1994 final when they beat Zambia and a coach in 2013 when the Super Eagles beat Burkina Faso.

3. Paul Kehinde (Nigeria)

Paul Kehinde set a new world record during the 9th Fazza 2018 World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai, becoming the heaviest para lifter in the -65 category. The Nigerian lifted 221 kilograms, breaking his own record of 220.5 kilograms.

4. Chinonso Eche (Nigeria)

Football freestyler or entertainer Chinonso Eche set a new world record for the most consecutive touches of a football while balancing it on the head in February 2023. He surpassed his own previous record by 22 touches.

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5. Tuedon Morgan (Nigeria)

Morgan earned the Guinness World Records title for the fastest time to run a half marathon on each continent (female) after she completed seven races in a time of 10 days, 23 hours, 37 minutes and 8 seconds.

6. Wayde Van Niekerk (South Africa)

Van Niekerk set a new world record in the 400 metres races by running a blistering 43.03 seconds during the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Messi surpasses Ronaldo's GWR record

Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi's claim to the title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) has been further solidified by his latest accomplishment, now recognised by Guinness World Records.

The current captain of the MLS franchise, Inter Miami, has been engaged in a long-standing rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo, who also skippers Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

While some still argue Ronaldo remains the greatest footballer in the history of the sport, Messi has undoubtedly strengthened his position among the Pantheons of the Greats, as confirmed by the latest update from Guinness World Records.