WTF: Martial arts master's Chi vs. RAZOR SHARP machete

From withstanding strikes from iron bars to the nether region, to “No touch knockouts,” Chi is one of the most controversial topics in all martial arts. Demonstrations of Chi are never exactly quantifiable, and typically reek of chicanery. Sometimes they go horribly wrong.

In this instance, Cris Crudelli of the UK television series Mind, Body & Kickass Moves, visits a martial artist in the Philippines. Crudelli gets a close-up demonstration of a local version of Chi energy, which the master claims will protect his body from the strikes of a sharp blade.

Filipinos have raised knife fighting to an art form; this is not the place to ask someone to try to cut you, as you protect yourself with a wizard shield. However, the master is going to try to cut himself, which is more plausible.

As the Filipino martial artist goes through the motions, Cris is starting to buy into the claim, commentating on the balanced and powerful movements displayed. Once the Chi is wrapped around the forearm, and the ritual looks to be complete, the man extends his left arm out and proceeds to hack at it with his own blade.

The blade created a cut that went right down to the bone, requiring immediate medical assistance.

“I’ve done this a dozen times but this is the first time this has happened,” he claimed which his arm was tended to.

It was also the first time this was filmed on camera. Coincidence?

LINK

What Went Wrong?

Like board breaking, walking on coals, and other stupid martial arts tricks, the protection against a downward blade isn’t Chi. Blades cut via a slicing motion - try cutting a loaf of bread by pressing the blade straight down, with no sawing motion. So cutting a watermelon on the belly of a student isn’t quite the miracle it appears to be. What went wrong here is that the blade was swung in such a way that it sliced, slightly, and that was enough.

This is not to say that you could or should whack your arm with a sharp blade, making sure there is no slicing motion. Even if you aren’t cut, it’s still stupid.