Buhera South legislator Joseph Chinotimba and his wife Vimbai yesterday celebrated Valentine’s Day in style after winning the longest kiss competition organised by the Book of African Records.
Chinotimba’s kiss lasted for 10 minutes and 17 seconds.
The event that coincided with the Valentine’s Day celebrations was held at a top Harare hotel where Chinotimba walked away with a food humper, $1 000 and a year’s DTSV subscription.
An elated Chinotimba yesterday said: “I won $1 000 and a Dstv subscription for a year.” First runner-up was Mr and Mrs Mbundure whose kiss lasted for five minutes and 23 seconds followed by Mr Jabulani Maphosa and Shyline Hama who kissed for two minutes 35 seconds.
Mr Tinashe Saruchera and Yvonne Saruchera kissed for two minutes 30 seconds. The video showing Chinotimba kissing his wife has since gone viral on social media. The event was an initiative by the Book of African Records to encourage Zimbabweans to break a record that will be published in the upcoming Book of African Records Zimbabwe Edition next year.
The contestants were married couples and had to kiss continuously with lips touching at all times. If the lips were unlocked then the couple was immediately disqualified. Proof of marriage was required and it was also open to couples married under customary law. The contestants were not allowed to be supported by any aids.
Rest breaks were not allowed. Concubines or girlfriends or those who are engaged were not allowed in the competition. The current world record for the longest kiss stands at 58 hours and is held by a Thai couple.
