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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
Alasdair Ferguson

Scotland's first-ever 'slap fight' event cancelled after concerns over brain injuries

SCOTLAND’S first-ever slap-fighting competition has been cancelled following concerns over brain injuries.

BritSlap/SlapFight UK was due to hold the controversial event at Glasgow University Union as part of a wider weightlifting meet.

However, a spokesperson for the student union said the event had been cancelled due to a “discussion with organisers”.

Dr Willie Stewart, a leading researcher at Glasgow University’s school of neuroscience, urged competitors not to “risk their brain health in the name of sport”.

Slap fighting is largely considered an underground “sport” and has accumulated millions of viewers online.

Competitors are separated by a podium at waist height as they stand across from each other and take turns to deliver open-handed blows across their opponent's face.

Flinching, dodging or deflecting strikes is not allowed during the contest with the aim for competitors to knock their opponent out or to win by points.

Dr Stewart told the BBC it was “inconceivable” that the union would host such an event, which has now been reportedly axed.

He said: “There is no question that the University of Glasgow's research has provided the clearest evidence that brain injuries should never be considered trivial or encouraged as 'sport'.

“In this context, it seems inconceivable, if not ill-considered, that a students' union of this university would be hosting such an event.

“I'd suggest that rather than encouraging people to risk their brain health in the name of 'sport', the event organisers spend a few hours in my laboratory and educate themselves on the consequences of brain injuries.”

Glasgow University Union reportedly previously said it was “satisfied” with the safety measures which were in place.

A statement released on Friday said: “In discussion with the event organisers, the slap-fighting element of this weekend's weightlifting competition is no longer going ahead.”

A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said it did not “endorse or sanction” the event.

They told the BCC: “Given the strength of the evidence outlined by our own academic colleagues, and echoed by published peer-reviewed research, we regard this as a dangerous sport and do not believe that the GUU or the university should be associated with it.”

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