Chinese Martial Arts Master Suffers Broken Cheekbone in International Power Slap Competition

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A Chinese martial artist's participation in a worldwide slapping competition has generated significant online conversation after he sustained a fractured cheekbone. The competition, called "Power Slap," is an international event where participants take alternating turns delivering face slaps to each other. This particular contest was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 31, as reported by South China Morning Post.

Power Slap's regulations require contestants to stand directly facing one another, with one competitor keeping their hands behind their back while receiving an unblockable slap from their opponent.

During the initial round, China's Zhao Honggang suffered a bleeding eyebrow and swelling around his right eye after being struck by Kazakhstan's Muhammad Amantaev, according to Red Star News.

By the third round, Zhao was knocked unconscious. The medical staff later determined he had sustained a broken cheekbone and required five stitches for his wound.

The 35-year-old Zhao later reassured his social media followers, explaining that he had received stitches near his eye and that medical imaging confirmed he had not experienced any brain trauma.

He stated that his condition had improved and expressed gratitude for everyone's concern.

Zhao represents the first Chinese athlete to enter a Power Slap competition. He is also the ninth-generation heir of the Qi family's Tongbai Boxing, a traditional martial arts style that Chinese authorities have recognized as national-level intangible cultural heritage. This martial art dates back over 2,000 years and draws inspiration from monkey movements.

With 1.5 million followers, Zhao has gained fame by demonstrating his kung fu abilities on various television shows. He has impressed audiences with feats such as breaking bricks with his bare hands and has claimed multiple championships in Chinese martial arts tournaments.