Face slapping is considered an insult in many cultures, but in others, such as Siberia in the far north of Russia, it is viewed as a sport. This unusual competition is known as “Slapping Men,” where two men compete in each match. They face each other in front of an audience, with referees and medical staff present. The game begins immediately, with one participant slapping the other’s face with force. After that, the opponent retaliates with an equally powerful slap. This exchange continues until one competitor is declared the winner.
The Slapping Men Championship is held annually in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia. It was first organized in 2019 as part of the Siberian Power Exhibition, which includes bodybuilding, weightlifting, and dancing. The sport was introduced spontaneously by the exhibition organizers to add excitement and entertainment. The game is simple: the competitors stand face-to-face with only a small table between them. Before the match, the attackers have a few minutes to prepare by focusing, shouting, and applying white powder to their palms to enhance the impact of their slaps. Once the fight begins, the competitors take turns slapping each other using the upper part of their palms, targeting only the cheeks and avoiding the jaw, temple, or ear. The referee ends the match if a player avoids or dodges the opponent’s slap, resulting in their disqualification. To maintain balance after each slap, competitors hold onto a sturdy stand placed between them, though additional assistance is often needed to keep them upright. There are no specific criteria for determining the winner at the end of the fight, as there are no accumulated points or time limits. The match often ends when one competitor refuses to continue or if the referee determines that a player can no longer safely receive additional slaps. Medical assistants stand by with bandages, cotton pads, and antiseptics to treat any injuries or address emergencies. The winner of the championship receives 30,000 Russian rubles, equivalent to approximately $470 USD.
The reigning champion of this sport is Russian Vasily Kamotsky, nicknamed “The Dumpling.” He achieved fame by defeating all his opponents. Kamotsky first encountered the sport when he visited a strongman competition in Krasnoyarsk with his friends. A fan of weightlifting, he expressed interest in participating in the Slapping Men competition. His first match was in front of a crowd of 1,000 people. When asked about his choice of nickname, he selected “Belmin,” meaning “dumpling,” because he enjoyed eating them. After winning the championship and gaining attention from a video of the match, Kamotsky became well-known, with people recognizing him in the streets. Journalists from distant places like Spain and Japan have contacted him. Although he has seen some criticism online about the sport, he remains unfazed, saying that even if people criticize, they continue to watch the video, which indicates their interest.
