Student plays drum for 72 hours

Kunto Hartono managed to perform nonstop for 72 hours in his attempt to break the record held in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest solo drumming marathon. The 27-year-old tailor-cum-drummer's effort ended on Thursday at 11:15 a.m. and was recognized by the Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI).

MURI manager Paulus Pangka acknowledged Kunto's success and will confirm the record with the Guinness Book of World Records.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records' website, the longest solo drumming marathon was achieved by Allister Brown of England, from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10, 2003, and lasted 58 hours 17 minutes. A release from the organizers said that the record was held by Alvaro Lopez, a Latin American, in Miami, Florida, in May 2003.

Should his record be confirmed by the Guinness Book of World Records, he will be the second Indonesian in the book after Rudy Hartono (no relation), who won the men's singles titles at the All England badminton championship eight times.

His performance, which was aired live at ANteve and sponsored by a cigarette company, was staged at the Soemantri Brodjonegoro Sports Center, South Jakarta.

Kunto, who received Rp 5 million (US$588) in cash and scholarships at Trisakti University, Jakarta, was rushed afterwards to Mitra Keluarga hospital, Central Jakarta, due to his delicate condition. -- JP