In an extraordinary exhibition of resilience and intercultural camaraderie, Japanese national Nozomu Hagihara has arrived in Varanasi as part of his ambitious 2,000-kilometre trek dribbling a football across India, with the goal of establishing a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance dribbled.Hagihara commenced his journey on March 3 from Kolkata and aspires to reach the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi by May 15. This record-setting endeavor not only showcases his enthusiasm for football but also highlights his profound bond with India, where he has resided for the past four years. “I’m attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest football dribble,” Hagihara explained. “I initially came to India with the Japanese government to oversee an organic farming initiative in Bihar. While living in a village, a group of students requested me to teach them football, and that simple inquiry evolved into something much more significant.” What began as informal coaching has transformed into a mission that intertwines sport, determination, and cultural unity.
