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21 Year Old Illusionist Sammy Cortino Sets World Record; Is Guinness Bound
(HICKORY, North Carolina — August 10, 2010) Sammy Cortino may join the likes of Guinness World Record holder David Copperfield as he submits his successful world record attempt claim to Guinness World Records for verification. At Hickory City Hall on Friday, the Appalachian State Broadcast Major executed his challenge, “Synthesis”, an unprecedented fusion of Harry Houdini’s early sleight of hand work presented in the style of the mystifying stunts that later brought the illusionist international notoriety. In this challenge, Cortino set the world record for the fastest blindfolded and ambidextrous card manipulations. In 90 seconds, the illusionist manipulated (performed sleight of hand with) 304 cards, which is 6 decks of standard playing cards stacked at 4.5”. Ambidextrous card manipulations using Sammy’s technique is extremely rare and difficult. Following communication with a Guinness spokesperson, the Hickory Daily Record reported, ”The Guinness Book of World records doesn’t have a category for playing card manipulation, so no such record exists.”
Sammy trained over 60 hours for this 90-second attempt, which was emceed and judged by Hickory mayor Rudy Wright. “I wanted to make sure I performed this live in front of an audience in real time and that this wasn’t done strictly on tape.” Cortino said, aware of the importance of believability in magic. The attempt was streamed live on Cortino’s Facebook Page so people worldwide could be part of magic history.
What’s next for Cortino? “I’m launching off!” he exclaimed. In his last year in school, Sammy is actively sending tapes to national talk shows and networking with agents in an effort to share his vision of magic worldwide.
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