On Saturday night, a crowded venue in Sydney was filled with spectators watching intense competitions, despite ongoing warnings about concussions.
The Run Nation Championships took place at Hordern Pavilion, featuring male competitors in various weight classes, all aiming to knock each other down on the grass.
Notably, South Sydney Rabbitohs player Cody Walker and UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa were part of the audience.
Viral footage from the event showcased a heavyweight clash, with one clip shared by Tuivasa garnering over 3.3 million views on Instagram.
In the video, two heavyweights collided, resulting in one falling to the ground in a whiplash-like manner, clearly affected by the impact, while the other appeared equally stunned.
As is typical in such events, medical personnel quickly rushed to assist the man who seemed to have lost consciousness, placing him in a recovery position.
This shocking moment drew reactions from many sports enthusiasts, well aware of the potential dangers of concussions.
Former UFC champion Cyrille Gane expressed shock with an emoji, while personal trainer James Smith bluntly stated, “CTE.”
The immediate response was clear, with a general agreement that the Run It Straight challenge posed serious risks.
“That’s probably the fastest route to Parkinson’s,” remarked one viewer.
Another expressed, “This is terrible.”
A third added, “This is a brutal sport.”
“This should be banned. I can’t believe I was watching,” voiced another, while another called it “the stupidest sport I’ve ever seen.”
Even more critical comments included, “Why run into a wall?” and “Construction seems easier, just saying.”
Addison Demetriou, in the main event, was declared the Run Nation Super Cruiserweight Champion with a 120-113 victory from the judges.
“It was a fantastic turnout at Hordern Pavilion for a fully booked event,” said Tremaine Fernandez, the founder of Run Nation.
“Run Nation is here to stay. We’ll announce RNC3 soon. Great job to all our athletes. See you in Queensland.”
Fernandez noted that Run Nation emphasized side contact rather than direct collisions in their rules.
“We’ve established side contact guidelines, on-field markers, and strict engagement rules. Player vetting was a significant focus,” he detailed.
Run Nation and Run It Straight are part of the various iterations of a social media phenomenon that has evolved into a recognized “sport.”
Last year, a teenager, Ryan Satterthwaite, lost his life after a head injury during an informal game of “Run It Straight” in New Zealand, which sparked considerable criticism.
Sports neuroscientist Dr. Alan Pearce said it was “only a matter of time” before there would be another fatal incident related to such activities.
“It’s deeply saddening to hear that,” he commented. “At any level, this kind of danger can exist. Even organized events can end tragically.”
He warned that impressionable young viewers might mimic what they see online, something they should avoid at all costs.
This might be the strongest warning I’ve ever seen: Do not try this at home.
Following the outcry over the teen’s death, the RUNIT Championship League responded by clarifying that they “do not endorse imitation of the sport, which should only occur under strict guidelines.”
Recently, Brisbane Broncos star Kotoni Staggs filmed a Run It Straight Style Challenge with a friend, later clarifying that the friend remained uninjured and that the video was intended to promote a skincare brand.
