A teenager from New Zealand lost his life after participating in a tackling game that was allegedly influenced by a controversial new high-impact collision sport gaining popularity on social media. The 19-year-old passed away in a hospital on Monday due to a severe head injury he sustained while playing a tackle game with friends in Palmerston North over the weekend.
Inspector Ross Grantham emphasized the tragic nature of the incident and expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and friends. He also mentioned that the game the teenager was involved in was a social media-driven trend where participants engaged in full-contact collisions without protective gear.
Local media reports linked the game to the Run It Straight challenge, which has gained significant attention on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Videos of individuals colliding at full speed have accumulated millions of views. Grantham pointed out that while this particular game was an informal gathering among friends, the tragic outcome highlights the inherent safety risks associated with such activities.
The event’s organizers, RUNIT, promote the sport on their website, stating that it showcases strength and grit. A championship event was recently held in Auckland, resulting in two men retiring due to head injuries, with one individual appearing to have a seizure.
RUNIT’s website emphasizes that contact sports, such as boxing or martial arts, should be conducted in carefully controlled environments with professional medical supervision. They stated their events have screening procedures, strict guidelines on tackling, medical assessments, and have medical staff on site.
Melanie Bussey, a professor in the School of Physical Education, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Otago, expressed concern regarding the potential for serious brain trauma caused by Run It-style tackles. She noted that sports associations and governing bodies are actively working to enhance player welfare and reduce preventable injuries and found the introduction of this high-risk sport to be counterproductive and deeply concerning.
Patria Hume, a Human Performance professor at AUT, also warned the public about the risks of injury and death associated with the sport, emphasizing that the teenager’s death could have been avoided if people refrained from participating in activities aimed at harming others.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/27/new-zealand-teenager-death-tackle-game-ntwnfb
