Rwandan fitness trainer attempts 11-hour African aerobics record

Phocas worked with five groups of 11 participants each, rotating every two hours and 12 minutes. The event aimed to surpass the previous African record held by South Africa’s Team Durban Fit Squad, which completed eight hours of aerobics in 2022.

Phocas told IGIHE that he focused on the “aerobics workout step,” the style his team regularly practices.

“I wanted to attempt an African record under our Onzestar name. The world record is much longer, up to 39 hours, with varied activities. I chose to focus on what we know best,” he said.

At the conclusion of the 11-hour session, participants celebrated their achievement. Though visibly fatigued, Phocas praised his team, saying, “This was a major event for Africa and for Rwanda. I told my team I was representing our country. Sometimes, dedication to your nation is necessary, even when it is challenging.”

The event was livestreamed on YouTube to allow independent verification. Guinness World Records rules allow five minutes of rest after every hour. Phocas structured the event in two-hour blocks with 10-minute breaks, which also served to thank participants. The achievement is currently awaiting official confirmation from record authorities.

Phocas highlighted the extensive preparation required: “We trained for five months. You cannot attempt this in a single day without preparation. Normally, we train one and a half hours daily, gradually increasing weekly to ten hours. This ensured we were ready for the challenge.”

During the marathon, participants relied on water, juice, and fruit to sustain energy. Participants described the preparation as essential for completing the event.

William Uwiringiyimana said, “It was a well-organised event showcasing the importance of sports. It required effort, but our commitment paid off.”

Zache Niyonkuru added, “We prepared for days, even practising uphill exercises. During the first five hours, it is easy to get exhausted, but determination kept us going to finish the challenge.”

Phocas Kagorora has been a fitness trainer since 2017 and founded Onzestar to promote sports, tourism, and outdoor activities such as hiking.