Lead: A growing concern about the dangers of emerging contact sports
A new parliamentary inquiry in New South Wales has revealed alarming findings regarding the neurological risks associated with collision running and face-slapping competitions. Dr Rowena Mobbs, a neurologist specializing in concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), testified before the committee that impacts experienced during these activities are comparable to those of a 'coward punch' or 'king-hit', where strikes occur directly on vulnerable areas of the head without any defensive possibility.
The nature of Run Nation and Power Slap events
Run Nation is an emerging sport in which two participants run at high speed toward each other and collide mid-run, aiming for maximum impact while maintaining balance and control. The competition has gained popularity through social media challenges inspired by viral trends such as the 'run it straight' challenge originally popularized online. Similarly, Power Slap involves athletes taking turns slapping one another across the face—actions that are physically aggressive and lack protective mechanisms.
While organisers claim these activities represent a safer evolution from traditional rugby league 'hit-ups', where players engage in physical contact during gameplay, medical experts argue otherwise. According to Dr Mobbs, both events involve uncontrolled collisions with minimal or no defensive posture, placing participants at significant risk of severe head trauma.
Neurological risks: A comparison to known traumatic injuries
The neurologist emphasized that collision running and face-slapping produce impacts far more intense than those seen in eye-gouging incidents—a common form of minor assault—and should be categorized as equivalent to the so-called 'king-hit'. This term refers historically to a violent strike delivered directly on the skull, often resulting in immediate loss of consciousness or death.
In her testimony, Dr Mobbs stated there is currently no modification or regulation strategy capable of reducing injury risk sufficiently. She noted that while traditional combat sports such as football codes have been linked to long-term brain diseases due to repeated subclinical concussions—so-called ‘silent’ injuries—the impact severity in Run Nation and Power Slap may trigger neurodegenerative conditions with fewer total impacts over time.
The 19-year-old fatality in New Zealand: A precedent for danger
A critical case emerged last year when a 19-year-old individual died following a serious head injury sustained during what was believed to be an unregulated tackling game inspired by the viral 'run it straight' challenge. Although no official record confirms whether this incident directly involved Run Nation, its origin is widely cited as having influenced similar activities globally.
This event has raised alarms among public health officials about the potential dangers of informal or unmonitored physical challenges that mimic combat sports but lack proper safety protocols and medical oversight. The death underscores how even seemingly minor forms of contact can escalate into fatal outcomes under specific conditions.
Legal classification: NSW Supreme Court rules Run Nation a combat sport
In September 2026, a judge in the New South Wales Supreme Court ruled that Run Nation constitutes a form of combat sport based on its inherent physical risk profile and structure. This decision upheld a cancellation notice issued by the Combat Sports Authority (CSA) of NSW for an upcoming Sydney event scheduled earlier that month.
The ruling was significant because it established legal precedent—placing such activities within regulatory frameworks designed to manage public safety risks associated with high-impact sports. The CSA had previously argued that without mandatory medical staff or emergency response systems at place, these events posed unacceptable dangers to participants.
Regulatory gaps: What current rules fail to address
In his testimony before the inquiry, Darren Kane, chair of the Combat Sports Authority (CSA), expressed strong support for regulating new combat-style competitions through standardized protocols. He stated that if such events were properly regulated, they would require:
- Mandated ambulance services on-site;
- Certified medical personnel present during all activities;
- Concussion training and certification programs for event organizers;
- The presence of doctors at every competition venue.
Kane stressed that unregulated events operate under 'pot luck' conditions—where safety depends entirely on individual decisions rather than institutional standards or enforcement mechanisms. This inconsistency increases the likelihood of injury escalation without timely intervention.
Organisers’ claims: Safety measures in place
Run Nation’s organisers have responded to concerns by asserting their events include immediate access to on-field medical professionals, including paramedics and physicians who monitor participants throughout competitions. These personnel are said to respond within seconds should any signs of trauma appear.
However, no official data has been released demonstrating how these protocols perform during actual incidents or whether they meet clinical benchmarks for concussion management under real-world conditions. The absence of independent audits or incident reports makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of such claims.
Perspective from grassroots combat sports groups
The inquiry also received submissions from representatives of bareknuckle boxing clubs and other grassroots combat organisations. Petero Taremwa, founder of Get That Guap (GTG), a fight club hosting mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and boxing events without formal licensing, shared his views on access barriers in regulated sport environments.
Taremwa acknowledged that while he does not dispute the importance of regulation, financial constraints present serious obstacles for small-scale organisers. He cited significant costs associated with permits, insurance coverage, venue rentals, and mandatory medical services—expenses often beyond reach of independent or community-based operators.
On-site care: A practical reality versus regulatory demands
In response to questioning by Labor MLC Sarah Kaine during the inquiry session, Taremwa explained that GTG events always include a nurse who also functions as an event DJ—a role that allows immediate post-fight assessments. According to him, no major injuries have been recorded at these gatherings despite their physical intensity.
Despite this claim, he conceded that the cost of mandated on-site ambulances under current regulations is 'unreasonable' for entry-level organisers. This highlights a fundamental tension between public safety standards and economic feasibility in promoting accessible forms of combat sports within communities.
Lack of direct medical exposure: A critical gap
Dr Mobbs explicitly stated she has not treated any patients with head trauma resulting from collision running or Power Slap events. While her expertise lies in concussion management across traditional sports like rugby and football, there are no documented cases linking these specific activities to clinical diagnoses such as CTE or post-concussion syndrome.
This absence may reflect either the rarity of incidents occurring under controlled conditions—or more likely—the lack of systematic data collection on injuries sustained during informal or unregulated competitions. Without verified incident reports or medical records, it remains difficult for experts to validate claims about long-term neurological outcomes.
The inquiry’s timeline and expected outcome
Established in August 2026, this parliamentary inquiry aims to determine whether emerging contact sports should be classified within formal combat sport categories subject to strict safety regulations. The committee has received submissions from multiple stakeholders including medical professionals, legal advisors, and grassroots organisations.
While no official event involving Power Slap has yet taken place in Australia as of late November 2026, the inquiry continues to assess both activities under a unified framework designed to evaluate risk profiles across different forms of physical competition.
A final report is anticipated by December 2026. It will likely include recommendations on how best to balance public interest in innovative sporting formats with rigorous health and safety standards for participants.
Conclusion: A call for evidence-based regulation
The testimony before this inquiry underscores an urgent need for transparent, data-driven approaches to assessing risks associated with emerging contact sports. While some organisers promote these events as safe alternatives or cultural expressions of athleticism, medical experts warn that the potential for severe neurological injury—particularly when strikes occur without defense—is not mitigated by simple rule modifications or event branding.
As new forms of physical competition continue to spread through social media platforms, authorities must ensure they are equipped with tools capable of evaluating real-world impacts—not just theoretical scenarios. Without verified incident records and independent clinical assessments, any conclusion about safety remains speculative at best.