The event was hosted by the International Brotherhood of Magicians (I.B.M.), the largest organization of magicians in the world with nearly 13,000 members in 73 countries worldwide.

Each year, the organization hosts a two-day magic competition, with contestants from all over the world. On June 30, in Reno, Nev., David Minkin won first place, making him an international champion of close-up magic.

In order to win first place, he had to perform seven shows in front of the judges, who included some of the biggest names in magic.

Minkin, a Northridge resident, began performing magic in L.A. 12 years ago at local restaurants and private parties. He started to receive attention in 2002, when he won the Gold Medal in the Strolling Olympics at the world famous Magic Castle.

The following year, he entered a magic competition in Japan. In front of an audience that spoke only Japanese, he became the first American ever to make it into the finals, taking secnd place.

In 2006, more than62 million people watched him perform magic on TV when American Idol visited the Magic Castle. Minkin now performs private shows for celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Rob Reiner, Teri Hatcher, and Jane Fonda. He performs at cocktail parties, on yachts, in limosines and wherever people are in need of some fun and amazement.

The first-place win in the I.B.M. Gold Cups Competition is considered by him to be his proudest accomplishment in magic.

More information can be found at www.davidminkin.com.

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