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A Hong Kong magician has been crowned the world's best Father Christmas at the annual Santa Winter Games in Lapland.
Santa Banana, whose real name is Plato Chan, beat 13 other santas from 11 regions at the 10th edition of the Santa Olympics, held in Gällivare, northern Sweden, on Saturday. Holland and Norway tied for second place ahead of Canada, Brazil and a female model from Japan.
Santa Banana competed in five Christmas-themed games in front of 1,000 spectators in the town square, wowing the audience with his magic tricks and balloon-twisting. He won the porridge-eating game and came first runner-up in the reindeer ride and gift-stacking.
He also had a good showing in the dance-off and the Christmas race.
"This year's race was very tight," said Santa Banana. "I wasn't sure I would win until the very last moment."
He also won the first People's Favourite Award, which was decided by online votes.
The 27-year-old said he chose the name Banana because of the fruit's "exciting" colour. "I love yellow and I love bananas," he added. "Bananas give you energy, so Santa Banana means energy and happiness."
Subtropical Hong Kong may not have snow, chimneys or reindeer, but the city's santas always perform remarkably well at the games. In the five years the city has competed, Hong Kong has won two gold medals, one silver and two bronze.
Santa Mario Ko Tim-yue, second runner-up in 2011, said previous winners mentored new competitors and he helped train this year's winner for three months before the games.
Santa Banana described his daily training routine: eating congee, running round a basketball court 50 times and doing 200 press-ups.


For my next trick: Hong Kong magician turns into world's No1 Santa

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Hong Kong

Congee and 200 press-ups a day help Plato Chan, aka Santa Banana, win world title


For my next trick: Hong Kong magician turns into world's No1 Santa

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Congee and 200 press-ups a day help Plato Chan, aka Santa Banana, win world title

Congee and 200 press-ups a day help Plato Chan, aka Santa Banana, win world title