Magician sets record for holding his breath

Magician sets record for holding his breath

CHICAGO — David Blaine set a world record Wednesday for breath-holding — 17 minutes and 4 seconds — fulfilling what he said was “a lifelong dream.” The feat was broadcast live during “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and the studio audience cheered as divers pulled the 35-year-old magician from a water-filled sphere 8 feet in diameter. Less than two years ago, Blaine went into convulsions during a similar attempt. While still underwater, Blaine worried his heart rate might be too high, saying he “actually started to doubt that I was going to make it” as a result. A lower heart rate helps minimize oxygen consumption. The previous record was 16 minutes and 32 seconds, set Feb. 10 by Switzerland’s Peter Colat, according to Guinness World Records.

Before he entered the sphere, Blaine inhaled pure oxygen through a mask to saturate his blood with oxygen and flush out carbon dioxide.

CIM names president

CLEVELAND — Trustees of the Cleveland Institute of Music have appointed a violin teacher from New York City’s Juilliard School as president. Fifty-eight-year-old Joel Smirnoff serves as first violinist with the Juilliard String Quartet and chair of the Juilliard School’s violin department. His appointment was announced Wednesday by trustees. Smirnoff will replace the retiring David Cerone, who became CIM president in 1985.

Today’s birthdays

Singer Judy Collins is 69. Actor Dann Florek (“Law and Order: SVU”) is 57. Singer-songwriter Ray Parker Jr. is 54. Bassist Johnny Colt (Black Crowes) is 42. Country singer Tim McGraw is 41. Bassist D’Arcy Wretzky (Smashing Pumpkins) is 40. Actor Darius McCrary (“Family Matters”) is 32.