𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. In a packed bar, two men face each other across a small table. To the cheers of the crowd, one lines up... then slaps his opponent with all his might across the cheek. No, this is not a bar fight. It's professional slap fighting and it's experiencing a massive surge in popularity. Emerging as a viral phenomenon in Russia in 2019, slap fighting is attracting former wrestlers and boxers like South African heavyweight Danie "Pitbull” van Heerden. But it's as controversial as it is compelling. Repeated blows to the head can cause concussion, traumatic brain injury and long-term neurological issues. Fans claim slap fighting is safer than many combat sports, but critics say it's unavoidably risky – and question whether it can be considered a sport at all. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv