Woman claims record after Scorpion ordeal

After surviving 17 scorpion stings, a Malaysian woman claimed a new world record on Saturday for living 36 days in a glass room with 6,069 of the deadly creatures – and said she couldn’t wait to go shopping with her mother.

Nur Malena Hassan, 27, emerged from the 10ft by 12ft) display box in a mall in the eastern city of Kuantan to the beat of traditional drums and cheers of support from a 3,000-strong crowd.

“I feel so satisfied.” she said. “I got what I wanted after enduring pain from 17 stings and spending 36 days in there.”

Nur Malena said she couldn’t wait to get back to her regular activities- like shopping.

“My mum is here and we’re at a mall, so I’m starting right away,” she said.

Dubbed the “Scorpion Queen,” Nur Malena beat the record set by her rival, Kanchana Ketkeaw of Thailand, who last year survived nine stings in a 32-day stay with 3,000 scorpions.

Sujatha Nair, a spokeswoman for the Malaysia Book of Records, said a video and other documentation will be sent to the Guinness Book of World Records office in London for verification.

During her ordeal, Nur Malena moved slowly to avoid upsetting her roommates, even as scorpions clambered over her body. She left the box only for a 15-minute bathroom break every day, except for her birthday last week, when she emerged for two minutes to cut the cake.

Nur Malena has built up resistance to stings after five years of training, but can pass out if stung three times within a short span. A doctor had remained on standby to treat her if necessary.

Thousands of Malaysians visited the mall to observe the record attempt. Nur Malena lived her life on display, sleeping, eating, performing Muslim prayers, reading magazines and watching television to keep occupied.

Malaysians have displayed a growing penchant in recent years for offbeat records – such as the highest backward climb up a staircase and the largest number of old people at a circus.