Nigerian ball jogger breaks another GWR

By ascending 150 steps and holding a football aloft while doing so, Nigerian Tonye Solomon broke the Guinness World Record. The radio mast was 250 feet (76 metres) tall.

Solomon set the record in August in Bayelsa State, according to GWR, which revealed this on its website on Wednesday.

“New record: Most steps climbed on a ladder while balancing a football on the head – 150 by Tonye Solomon (Nigeria),” GWR posted on X, formerly Twitter.

GWR reported that some people questioned Solomon’s account of travelling 60 kilometres with a football on his head from Amassoma to Yenagoa.

Tonye was motivated to prove them wrong and set a Guinness World Record by ascending 150 steps on a ladder while carrying a football.

During the record attempt, Tonye reportedly didn’t seem bothered by the steep climb, finishing it in just 12.5 minutes. He triumphantly threw the ball down and gave a triumphant fist pump after completing all 150 steps.

“After Tonye Solomon walked 60 km (37 mi) with a football on his head from Amassoma to Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, many of his compatriots doubted the authenticity of his story,” GWR said.

“So, to prove them wrong, Tonye decided to demonstrate his skills by setting a Guinness World Records title for the most steps climbed on a ladder while balancing a football on the head.

“He successfully achieved the dizzying feat last month by climbing 150 steps to the top of a 250-foot (76-metre) tall radio mast while expertly keeping control of the ball atop his head,” the Records stated.

During the record attempt, he was said to have appeared unfazed by the steep ascent, taking just 12 and a half minutes to complete the climb. He was said to have spent two months training for it, using all of his free time to practise until he was confident that he would not fail.

“It wasn’t easy,” he said. “I thank the Nigerian Civil Defense Bayelsa State Command for allowing me use their facility for this.”

Solomon is a member of the Chukwuebuka Freestyle Academy, led by Chukwuebuka Ezugha. This academy has nurtured many talents like Kid Eche, Vincent Okezie, Victor Richard Kipo, and Confidence Kipo, who have all achieved remarkable records.