KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Xinhua) -- A Malaysian ex-snake farm worker made a record by kissing a venous cobra 51 times, local media reported Sunday.

    Shahimi Abdul Hamid, 33, kissed the King Cobra, 4.6 meters longand 10 kilograms heavy, in three minutes and one second Saturday in Genting Highlands near here.

    The large cobra looked agitated after the first few easy kisses, and then Shahimi showed agility by moving swiftly to avoid being bitten.

    After the 51st kiss, he received a thunderous applause from the audience at the First World Hotel and Malaysian Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Liow Tiong Lai presented him with a certificate.

    Shahimi's feat was a world record waiting to be verified.

    The present world record holder was Gordon Cates from Florida, the United States, who kissed 11 cobras without a time limit in September 1999.

    Cates used an iron bar to protect himself while Shahimi had only his two bare hands, according to local media reports.

    Shahimi said he had no contact with this cobra before the daring performance. Enditem