{"id":75137,"date":"2025-09-02T15:57:19","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T22:57:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=75137"},"modified":"2025-10-14T16:14:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T23:14:56","slug":"chinese-magician-david-shao-wins-top-honors-in-international-magic-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=75137","title":{"rendered":"Chinese Magician David Shao Wins Top Honors in International Magic Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Comedian and Magician David Shao swept three major awards at the 2025 International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) Convention<\/strong>, including 1st Place in Close-Up Magic<\/strong>, 2nd Place in Stage Magic<\/strong>, and the elusive Karrell Fox Comedy Award<\/strong> \u2014 a triple achievement that marks him as one of magic\u2019s most original and celebrated new voices. With only two competition categories \u2014 Close-Up and Stage \u2014 and just eight finalists in each from around the globe, Shao\u2019s victories showcase his exceptional ability to blend world-class technical skill with refined artistic precision.<\/p>\n

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Mike Dunagan, outgoing president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, presents the first place trophy in close up magic to Chinese Magician David Shao. (Photo by Michael Messing, \u00a9 International Brotherhood of Magicians 2025)<\/p><\/div>\n

Founded in 1922, the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM)<\/strong> is one of the largest and most respected magic organizations in the world, with members in over 80 countries. Its annual convention is a cornerstone event for the global magic community. This year\u2019s convention featured lectures and appearances by world-renowned magicians such as Jeff McBride<\/strong>, master of theatrical magic and founder of the Magic & Mystery School; and Lance Burton<\/strong>, the first American to win FISM (\u201cthe Olympics of Magic\u201d)<\/strong> and one of the most celebrated Las Vegas headliners in history. Notably, past IBM competitions have helped launch the careers of magicians like Shin Lim<\/strong>, who went on to win FISM and America\u2019s Got Talent<\/em>, who became a household name in modern sleight-of-hand magic.<\/p>\n

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David Shao and his 1st Place Close-Up Magic trophy, 2nd Place Stage Magic trophy, and the prestigious Karrell Fox Comedy Award at the 2025 International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention.<\/p><\/div>\n

Shao\u2019s performances offered a unique twist in the art. His Close-Up Magic routine was unexpectedly funny, original, and extraordinary, while his Stage Magic set mixed deadpan humor, emotional tension, and sharp comedic timing \u2014 earning second place in a highly competitive field of international performers from South Korea, South Africa, Italy, and Czech Republic.<\/p>\n

Most notably, Shao was awarded the Karrell Fox Comedy Award<\/strong>, given only four times before<\/strong> in IBM history. He is now the fifth-ever recipient<\/strong>, recognized for his ability to blend strong magic with sharp comedic timing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea I was going to win both the Close-Up and Stage contests,\u201d Shao said. \u201cThis is the first time I am representing China, and it\u2019s an incredible honor to be recognized on this global stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year\u2019s competition highlighted everything we love about magic: creative concepts, original thinking, commitment to perfection and entertaining performances,\u201d said Mike Dunagan, outgoing international president of the I.B.M., who presented the awards to Shao.<\/p>\n

Shao developed an interest in magic at the age of nine, when he first saw magician Lu Chen performs on Chinese national television. \u201cChen was the magician that all of the younger magicians in China looked up to at the time,\u201d said Shao.<\/p>\n

At 17, he moved to the U.S. and began performing on the streets as a busker while in high school. He later attended the University of California, Irvine, where he majored in Drama. In 2022, during his second year of college, Shao joined the Academy of Magical Arts, whose clubhouse is the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.<\/p>\n

Shao refined his signature deadpan character while performing at the Magic Castle. \u201cI spent six months practicing my sets, and then I found out that when I don\u2019t show any expression while saying something silly, the audience laughs more\u2014because they\u2019re not sure if I\u2019m serious or not,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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