The Billet Article - Shahid Malik's World Record

This article is taken from The Billet Issue - 379 - May 2003, Authored by Telegraph & Argus

Shahid Malik's World Record

Bradford's own answer to Harry Houdini has set yet another world record - 160ft above a city centre. Illusionist and escapologist Shahid Malik broke free from a straitjacket while suspended upside down from a burning rope. And he did it while dangling 40ft higher in the air than anyone else has ever achieved.Hundreds of onlookers cheered as daredevil Shahid completed his Houdini-style mid-air stunt before being lowered to the ground by a giant crane in Glasgow.

It took the 49-year-old just under minutes to wriggle freeAfter a short break Shahid then escaped from a padlocked sack in a small, wooden crate suspended l00ft above the ground in a stunt never attempted before.

Shahid, who has come close to death more than once while attempting dangerous stunts, now holds three world records. He already held the record for escaping from a straitjacket suspended from a helicopter 1,800ft up, and for the fastest escape from a regulation straitjacket.

The tension beforehand was not helped by the DJ’s ominous decision to play the Westlife hit, The Last Goodbye. To make matters worse, the crowd were then told three escapologists, two Americans and a Briton, had been killed performing similar stunts in the last 15 years They were also informed that Shahid had twice been injured attempting the feat and, on one occasion, was treated in hospital after falling 75ft.After breaking the record, a triumphant Shahid said: 'It is dangerous but I don't expect the crowd would turn up. If there were not an element of danger involved."

He can dislocate his right shoulder, a technique that enables him to create the space required to escape from a straitjacket. "I try to focus on breaking free from the jacket and blank out the fact that the rope is burning. I concentrate on my technique and staying supple," he said. "I try not to look up or down. There is no relief until I am on the ground."The sun shone brightly as Shahid, wearing a black vest with a Superman logo, was raised 164ft, suspended from a 4ft burning rope. He shook his body from side to side before throwing off his straitjacket. As he was lowered, he untied a rope around his ankles and acknowledged the applause.The second stunt was performed minutes later when he burst free after just over 90 seconds.

Before he retires, Shahid is devising a stunt that would cement his name in the history books. He explained: "I am planning one escape stunt to end all stunts. I have been devising it for the last 15 Years and it involves the Grand Canyon. "If it goes ahead it has to be shown live by satellite companies around the world. Once it starts I cannot be saved."Shahid, a former Magician of the Year said he could not give any further details but confirmed he was in talks with television companies.Before yesterday's event in George Square, Glasgow, sponsors Opal Telecom and Glasgow City Council each donated £1,000 to the Cash For Kids appeal.

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