Rugby -inspired participants compete in clashes without protective equipment
A 19 -year -old man succumbed to his injuries in New Zealand after being involved in a dangerous, rugby -inspired challenge (challenge) of a high -speed conflict, which went viral on social media.
The challenge “Run-It-Straight” has tens of thousands of views on the internet and attracts huge crowds in New Zealand and neighboring Australia, who come to watch contestants attack each other without any protection.
A teenager has died in New Zealand After Taking Part In a Rugby-inspired Social Media Craze That Sees Participants Sprint and Crash Into Other, Police Said Tuesday.
The “Run-It-Straight Challenge” Has Gone Viral on Social Media Across New Zealand and Australia, Attracting… pic.twitter.com/wthjaxoykc
– Malay Mail (@malaymail) May 27, 2025
The 19 -year -old died Monday night of a “serious head trauma” he suffered while playing with friends at the weekend, police said in a statement.
The game “was based on a tendency for social media where participants compete in conflict (…) without protective equipment,” said Inspector Ross Granthham.
“We urge anyone who is thinking of participating in this to take into account the significant risks to safety and injuries,” he added.
What is “Run-It-Straight”
Inspired by rugby and sometimes very violent, even fatal, conflict and tackle, the challenge is Item Competitions with Thousands of Dollars To be at stake, even attracting former professional rugby players.
Extreme Nemani Nantolo from Fiji, a former Montpellier and Leicester player, for example, participated in such a challenge last year, according to the press.
Experts liken the challenge to a fighter sport, warning the risk of concussion.
A challenge such that was organized in Auckland, in the Northern New Zealand, was interrupted for a while last week, when a participant began to have spasms on the ground, local media reported.
New Sport “Run it straight” are you in or out ???? pic.twitter.com/s4qvi6fyio
– Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) May 6, 2025
The Headway club, which specializes in head injuries, condemned these races.
His chief executive, Stissy Mubrey, condemned the “horrible and truly worrying videos” to Radio New Zealand showing people “starting to have obvious head injuries.”
There are more and more indications that connect head contact – something that happens in sports such as rugby – with neurodegenerative diseases.
Source :Skai
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