Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 17 (ANI): In a remarkable feat of endurance, passion, and cultural connection, Japanese national Nozomu Hagihara has arrived in Varanasi as part of his 2,000-kilometre journey dribbling a football across India.

His mission is to set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance dribbled with a football. Starting his journey from Kolkata on March 3, Hagihara aims to reach the Japanese Embassy in New Delhi by May 15th.

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Hagihara, who has spent the last four years living in India, began his journey not just as a personal challenge but as a reflection of his deep bond with the country and its people.

"My challenge is to break the Guinness World Record for the longest dribbling," Hagihara told ANI.

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"It's been four years since I have been in India. I was managing an organic farming project with the Japanese government in Bihar. Being in a Bihar village, I had nothing much to do, and a bunch of students came to me and asked me to teach them football," he added.

That humble request sparked a new purpose. What began as casual coaching in a rural village gradually evolved into a personal mission that combines his love for football with a message of determination and cultural harmony.

On reaching Varanasi, a city known for its spiritual depth and vibrant traditions, Hagihara reflected on its significance, "Varanasi is the heart of India and a special place for Japan. This is not only a holy place for Hinduism but culturally rich also." (ANI)

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