Chinese Martial Artist Competes in World 'Power Slap' Championship... Suffers Cheekbone Fracture from Single Blow

Zhao Honggang, with 1.5 Million Followers
Ninth-Generation Successor of Traditional Martial Art "Tongbeiquan"

The ninth-generation successor of the Chinese traditional martial art "Tongbeiquan" suffered a fractured cheekbone after being struck by a powerful blow during the World Power Slap Championship.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on November 8, Chinese martial artist Zhao Honggang, 35, represented China at the World Power Slap Championship held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 1. Power Slap is a competition in which two contestants take turns slapping each other's cheeks while facing each other, with no opportunity to dodge or defend.

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This event was organized by the Power Slap League, which was established by UFC President Dana White in 2022. In a pre-match interview, Zhao expressed strong confidence, saying, "I will prove the power of Tongbeiquan to the world." With around 1.5 million followers, he is a celebrity known as a "true martial artist," having appeared on various entertainment programs where he demonstrated feats such as breaking bricks with his bare hands and bending iron bars.

Zhao is also the ninth-generation inheritor of Tongbeiquan, which has been designated as intangible cultural heritage by the Chinese government. This martial art, which is said to have originated from the movements of monkeys, boasts a history of over 2,000 years. In China, it became widely known to the public through its appearance in the Japanese martial arts comic "Kung Fu Boy Chinmi."

"Received stitches around the eye... Currently recovering"

However, the result of the match was completely unexpected. In the first round, Zhao was struck by Kazakhstan's Muhamad Amantayev, causing severe swelling and a laceration around his eye. In the third round, he was hit by an even stronger blow, collapsing onto the ring and experiencing the bitterness of defeat. Zhao suffered a fracture to his right cheekbone and received five stitches around his eye.

After the match, Zhao posted on social media, "I received stitches around my eye and was diagnosed with no brain damage. I am currently recovering and thank everyone for their support." Whether he will compete again in future Power Slap events has yet to be decided.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.