A Malaysian man is hanging up his finger after bashing coconuts with it for eight years.

Kung-fu master Ho Eng Hui breaks coconuts with his index finger every weekend to help promote state tourism and also to sell his multi-purpose medication that relieves rheumatism, arthritis and muscle pains.

For eight long years, his performances never fail to attract big crowds of tourists and locals alike.

His achievements have been noted in the Malaysia Book of Records and for Ho, Kung-fu is more than just a pastime, it's a way of life and a way to earn a living for his family.

Against the backdrop of familiar Kung-fu music, Master Ho momentarily enters into serious concentration and without warning he lets out a few forceful cries that couple with swift movements and stunts.

He then, to the delight of his audience, raises his index finger and mercilessly sinks it into the coconut as if it was his worst enemy.

After a few successive jabs, he gives a final thrust with his steely finger into the husky fruit drawing out its juices which in turn draws out an appreciative shriek from the crowd.

However, too many years of performing the stunt has paid its price. Ho has started wincing in pain afterwards so has decided to call time on his career.

Looking nostalgically at his severely punished and slightly deformed right index finger, he recalls the day he broke it in 1993 while performing in Singapore.

"It was broken. I thought I was finished but I persevered and kept on thinking that I would be famous. That's how I got this finger that has fed my whole family," he said.

Ho's only regret is that younger generations are no longer interested in taking up the skill, including is only son who does not want to follow in his footsteps, or should that be his fingerprints.

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