Old video of boxing athlete allegedly assaulting schoolmate in toilet resurfaces online

SINGAPORE: A viral video depicting an alleged school bullying incident has sparked widespread debate on social media platforms Reddit and Telegram.

The 1-minute 32-second video, which first appeared on the Telegram channel SG Shares on Monday (28 October), shows a group of students in school uniforms gathering in what appears to be a school toilet, with one student confronting another.

The footage begins with the student at the centre of the group trying to leave, only to be forcibly held back by a taller individual who then punches him in the face and delivers a knee to his body.

The assailant continues to assault the student, eventually dragging him back into the centre.

The video also captures a moment when another student attempts to enter the toilet but is stopped and warned by the assailant not to interfere.

As the video continues, the alleged aggressor demands an apology from the victim, cautioning him not to “say bad things” about another individual.

Calls Mount for SBF Action as Netizens Urge Investigation into Alleged Bullying Incident

Social media users quickly reacted to the video, sharing it widely on both Reddit and Telegram.

The original post on Reddit alleged that the student seen attacking the victim is currently representing Singapore at the Under-19 World Boxing Championships in Colorado, United States.

This led some users to call for the Singapore Boxing Federation (SBF) to take action. Several users suggested that netizens report the incident to the SBF, urging authorities to launch an investigation.

Users Question Video’s Timing and Accuracy

Some Reddit users, however, claimed the video was recorded when the individual at age 14 and before he began boxing, suggesting that the alleged aggressor has already faced consequences.

Another comment noted that the video could be outdated, raising questions about the accuracy of the claims circulating online.

Education Minister Earlier Warns Against Sharing Bullying Videos, Citing Risks of Emotional Harm and Rehabilitation Challenges

Discussions also highlighted an earlier warning from Education Minister Chan Chun Sing during a parliamentary session on 14 October.

Mr Chan cautioned against recording and sharing bullying incidents online, stating that circulating such videos could exacerbate the emotional distress of those involved and create additional challenges for perpetrators who may need support in order to reform.

During the session, Mr Chan addressed the impact of viral bullying videos, noting that efforts to dox or ostracise perpetrators could lead to further isolation and hinder their rehabilitation.

He emphasised that “as a society, we must be careful not to normalise such behaviours unintentionally,” warning against the potential for encouraging similar acts and viral challenges.

Mr Chan urged the public to “stand together to discourage copycats” and advised against attempts to “out-viral the last bullying video.”

He added that bullying perpetrators often also need help and urged caution in handling incidents that could have lasting psychological effects on all involved.

In response to the incident, The Online Citizen has reached out to the SBF for clarification regarding the viral video and will provide updates once a response is received.

As of the article’s publication, the boxer’s Instagram account has been inactive and inaccessible following the video’s spread online.