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Blaine sets breath-holding record

Illusionist David Blaine removes part of his protective glove to show the water damage to his hands after 5 days of being submerged in a water filled 8 foot acrylic sphere since May 1, 2006.The stunt titled "Drowned Alive" will end on May 8, 2006 with Blaine emerging from the sphere,shedding his breathing tube and returning to hold his breath under water longer than anyone has accomplished. (UPI Photo/Ezio Petersen)

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Published: May 1, 2008 at 3:40 PM

CHICAGO, May 1 (UPI) -- Magician David Blaine set a world record for breath holding, 17 minutes and 4.4 seconds, during an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in Chicago.

Blaine, 35, broke the previous Guinness World Record of 16 minutes and 32 seconds, set in February of this year by Peter Colat of Switzerland, the New York Post reported Thursday.

"I feel happy ... a lifelong dream," Blaine told Oprah after emerging from the water-filled sphere. "I can't believe I did that."

The magician said his target is the world record for sleep deprivation, which currently stands at 11 1/2 days.

Topics: David Blaine, Oprah Winfrey

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