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Short of breath and short of a record too

Illusionist David Blaine ends underwater marathon in climactic let-down

NEW YORK: Illusionist David Blaine was swiftly pulled out of a water-filled sphere on Monday night after failing to hold his breath for nine minutes inside the bubble that had been his underwater home for seven days.

Two divers jumped into the tank as Blaine appeared to struggle while removing chains that had been placed on his hands and feet. His official time was seven minutes and eight seconds, short of the world record of eight minutes and 58 seconds.

The 33-year-old American was dramatically lifted up in front of a crowd in New York's Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts after seven days in the bubble in which he had breathed and eaten through tubes.

After quickly being attended to by rescuers who gave him oxygen, an emotional Blaine, who spent a record 176 hours under water, addressed the cheering crowd. "I'm humbled so much by the support of everybody from New York City and from all over the world," said a visibly weak Blaine as tears trickled down his wet face. "This was a very difficult week, but you all made it fly by with your spirit and your energy," he said before stepping down a ladder. "Thank you so much everybody, thank you and I love you all."

Blaine had spent the past week inside the 2.45-metre high glass sphere. The water and pressure had taken a toll on Blaine's body, worrying doctors at the scene who expressed concern about his attempt to hold his breath for nine minutes.

Before holding his breath for the finale, Blaine's hands and feet were heavily chained. His trainers stood outside the bubble, encouraging him to relax and telling him he was doing well. After more than four minutes of apnoea, the illusionist began removing the handcuffs. But his mouth began to quiver and nearly seven minutes into the stunt the rescuers dove into the tank. Doctors had warned that prolonged submersion poses a number of hazards, including nerve damage. — AP

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