Mon, Jan 04, 2010

The New Paper

The winning couple was one that lasted the longest without any part of their body – except the standing partner’s feet – touching the ground.

All of the contestants went the conventional route, with the men lifting the women.

Before the contest started, participants stood in their allocated spots, nervously checking out the competition, whispering to each other as they observed other couples.

Once the contest was underway, all the men appeared rock steady, each one with his lady love securely in his arms.

And the women?

They had the easy job – just wrap their arms around their partner’s necks.

But as the minutes ticked by, the strain began to show.

Some men closed their eyes in concentration.

Others stared ahead, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

The first couple gave up after six minutes and 40 seconds.

On the sidelines, one enthusiastic father was cheering on his daughter and her boyfriend.

“Go on! You can do it!” he shouted in Mandarin.

New rule

Unfortunately, the young man dropped his girlfriend when the organisers introduced another rule – the women had to place their arms in front of them, not around their partner’s necks.

After 21 minutes, only five couples were left standing. When it was down to two couples, yet another tough new rule was introduced – each man had to lift one leg.

This felled one couple, leaving Sky Hong, 22, a Nanyang Technological University engineering undergraduate, and his girlfriend, Ms Chang An Qi, 22, a human resources associate, as the last couple standing.

Their time: 30 minutes and 49 seconds.

They won a three-night cruise to Phuket and Penang.

What was the secret of their success?

Said Mr Hong: “I really don’t know. Actually, after the first 15 minutes, everything felt very heavy. But I just held on.”

How does he feel after the win?

“Shiok!” he said.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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