Ernest Cadine


It’s not hard to see why he won the gold medal at the 1920 Olympic Games, likely around the same time this picture was taken.
Note the cannon on the wall behind him. Yes, it was used specifically for lifting purposes.
It’s not hard to see why he won the gold medal at the 1920 Olympic Games, likely around the same time this picture was taken.
Note the cannon on the wall behind him. Yes, it was used specifically for lifting purposes.
In addition to his cannon-ball catching feat, Holtum’s performance also consisted of various strength feats which usually involved either lifting, balancing or juggling cannon balls. Remarkably, Holtum retired from the cannon-ball catching business on his own terms without serious injury, and later partnered with his brother Fred to become successful wine merchants.
You may have seen “Cannonball” Richards’ picture on the cover of the Van Halen “III” CD, or you may have caught him spoofed in an episode of The Simpsons, or maybe you have even seen the famous footage as it has been used in several commercials over the years, either way “Cannonball” Richards will go down in history as the man with the world’s hardest stomach.
Here he takes a sledge hammer blow to the midsection without so much as a wince.