47-year-old Marine veteran Damian “Obi” Todd wasn’t ever intending on backing out of his promise to roll 24 hours straight to raise money for the R U OK? Foundation, but now, there’s truly no going back.
Yesterday, Todd confirmed that all 228 spots for his marathon roll have been booked, with 192 individual participants taking an opportunity to roll with him to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
To recap, on February 22, Todd will be attempting an official Guinness World Record by rolling for 24 hours straight. The details of the event, which will be held in Adelaide, Australia, can be found here. As of this article’s publication, over $14,000 has already been raised towards the fundraiser’s impressive goal of $100,000. Individuals and events alike have contributed to the already-impressive amount that the event has raised.
Todd told the Jiu-Jitsu Times that eleven black belts, fourteen brown belts, 37 purple belts, 50 blue belts, and 80 white belts will be participating in the Roll Around the Clock event. His home academy of Chau Kaizen has the highest number of participants, with other gyms around Adelaide also bringing in large numbers of athletes, but he says that people are coming from as far as Perth, Brisbane, New South Wales, and Queensland to make the event possible.
“People keep asking me if I’m ready,” says Todd, “But I don’t think your body could ever be ready. My mind is ready and my heart is ready… so in truth, I’m ready. Ready to make a little bit of history and save a few lost souls. Nothing else really matters now.”
There are just days to go until Roll Around the Clock, which will be streamed live. You can follow updates here and donate to the cause here.
