A parliamentary inquiry in New South Wales has heard that emerging combat and collision events—such as Run Nation and Power Slap—pose severe risks to participants, with a leading neurologist warning that death is a "distinct possibility."
The New South Wales inquiry is currently examining whether to classify these modern formats as official combat sports to better oversee participant safety. Run Nation features competitors running directly at one another to collide at high speeds, while Power Slap involves participants taking turns delivering forceful strikes to each other's faces.
During the proceedings, a concussion expert testified that the sheer force of impacts in these activities mirrors the danger of a coward punch or "king-hit." The specialist cautioned lawmakers that such extreme events cannot be made adequately safe through standard regulatory measures.
