Two-time National Fighting Champion and United World Martial Arts Kickboxing Champion Master Bob Stigall stood over a stack of 10 large bricks while an assistant doused them with lighter fluid.
After they were set ablaze, Stigall put his fist through the concrete slabs breaking all but two.
In a competition this failing would have cost him, but despite the two unbroken bricks Stigall's act still thrilled the audience Saturday at Pruis Hall.
Stigall's group, Bob Stigall's USA Karate Swat Team, participated in the martial arts demonstration with the Ball State University Martial Arts Club and the Indiana Martial Arts Academy.
The BSU Martial Arts Club was the first group to take the stage. Its use of individual and two person performances, both armed and unarmed and all synchronized with rock music set the tone for the evening.
Performances by the Indiana Martial Arts Academy featured sparring with knives, blades and Eskrima sticks. Guro/Sensei Cory Ballinger, the group's leader said the IMAA focuses on Kali, a martial art native to the Philippines. Ballinger, who injured his hand during the performance, has worked alongside many local law enforcement and security agencies.
Throughout IMAA's presentation Ballinger said sparring should try to be as close to the real thing as possible. "That's why we try to practice at full speed," he said, "because you never know how you might get attacked."
Ballinger's son, Xavier also performed earlier in the evening.
After IMAA, Bob Stigall's USA Karate Swat Team opened up their segment of the show in dramatic fashion. With a fog machine, special lighting and "Eye of the Tiger" shattering through the loud speakers, the troop went through a series of well-rehearsed, hand-to-hand sparring demonstrations.
Then came the "Theme from Mortal Kombat" and a series of martial arts weaponry demonstrations. These featured exhibitions of the Bow Staff and the Kama, a short scythe-like weapon with an eight inch curved blade.
Although loud rock music was a reoccurring theme in the group's performance, Swat Team performer, Rob Nottingham said it is not played during practices,
"We're a disciplined group, we have fun, but it's more about focus." he said, "[Tonight's performance] was more about having a good time entertaining people."
After the sparring presentation, Swat Team founder, Master Bob Stigall called for a volunteer from the audience.
Motioning to a man in the front row, Stigall said, "You look like a tough guy, come up here."
Stigall handed the audience member three pieces of fruit, one he held in his mouth, the other two in either hand.
"Don't move," Stigall said.
With techno music blaring, the martial arts expert knocked out each piece of fruit with a pair of nun-chucks.
The event was sponsored by the Ball State Asian American Student Association and was part of a series of BSU events honoring National Asian American Awareness Month.
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