Breathtaking Footage: 104-Pound Cannonball Hits Man's Stomach At Close Range

Discover the jaw-dropping story of a man who turned his iron stomach into a legendary performance.

Davy

• Published in Interesting
• April 29, 2024

In a display of sheer guts and physical endurance, Frank Richards, nicknamed ‘Cannonball,’ has left audiences and online viewers amazed. With a unique ability to absorb heavy impacts to his stomach, Richards performed stunts that involved getting hit by objects as heavy as 104-pound cannonballs.

Originating from Kansas and later moving to California, his act became a popular spectacle across the United States in the 1920s. This article dives into the extraordinary life and performances of Frank 'Cannonball' Richards.

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Frank Richards, often called ‘Cannonball,’ was not just any performer. In the roaring 1920s, he turned his unbelievable tolerance for abdominal pain into a public spectacle that fascinated many across America. Born in Kansas and a resident of California post-WWI, Richards showcased a physical strength that seemed almost superhuman.

His performances started relatively tame with him taking punches from bystanders, but it didn’t stop there. Notably, Richards’ abdomen could withstand hits from heavyweight boxing champions like Jim Jeffries and Jack Dempsey.

However, ordinary punches weren’t enough for the thrill-seeker. Richards craved more intense challenges. He escalated his acts to include jumping on his belly, hits from a wooden plank, and even blows from a sledgehammer.

The pinnacle of his acts involved a 104-pound cannonball shot at his stomach from a 12-foot distance using a compressed air cannon. Remarkably, he performed this dangerous stunt twice daily, citing any more as overly painful a testament to the physical limits he was pushing.

Despite the extreme nature of his performances, Richards appeared to manage the pain and the risks well. Videos of his stunts circulated widely, eliciting astonishment and disbelief from those who watched. Viewers often wondered if such a feat was a result of intense training or a natural ability.

Social media comments reflect a mix of admiration and concern, with users praising his strength and resilience while hoping such extreme performances did not cause him long-term health issues. Richards continued to perform without significant harm, living to the age of 81, passing away in 1969.

His legacy, captured in videos and stories, remains a fascinating glimpse into the lengths one man went to entertain and astound, showcasing what seems like an almost superhuman capability of the human body.

Davy