By: Jubilant Cheyeza Baloyi
Minister of Sports and Arts & Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has urged South Africans to support the third-ranked world champion Danie van Heerden in promoting the American sport “Power Slap.”
Power Slap is an American sport focused on slap fighting, where competitors aim to showcase their power techniques and settle rivalries. It is licensed and sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Although it originates in the United States, it is banned in countries like France, China, and Egypt, where it is considered an act of violence and promotes physical abuse.
The rules of the sport are as follows:
- A coin toss or seeding method determines who gets to slap or defend first.
- The clock is set for 30 seconds to slap, 30 seconds to recover, and then the process is repeated.
- The competitor with the most points wins.
This sport has received considerable criticism worldwide. Some view it as a legitimate sport, while others see it as a form of violence. There are concerns that this type of sport could lead to increased physical abuse in society, as children might imitate it from a young age in public places like schools, normalizing aggressive behavior. While it may create job opportunities, precautions must be taken during its practice, as it is dangerous. Participants are at risk of physical harm, including dislocations and fractures to facial features, as well as long-term brain injuries.
Florence Maroleng, a resident of Fleurhof in Johannesburg West, said, “It is advantageous as it allows people to defend themselves against their enemies and does not require formal training to qualify. However, it is disadvantageous because it might be harmful to participants.”
Power Slap is seen by some as a form of entertainment, similar to boxing. Both showcase power, dominance, and fighting techniques and serve as platforms to resolve conflicts and demonstrate strength. Most matches are held in the USA, and most participants are American. The sport lacks international support due to the dangers it poses. Although there are international participants, such as Danie van Heerden from South Africa and Grosu Sorin Comsa from Romania, they do not receive significant support from their countries.
Shiwanga Baloyi, a resident, expressed concern about promoting Power Slap in South Africa, viewing it as a life-threatening sport. “It is more than a sport; it is a fight. I believe the sport will not attract many participants or viewers in its current form. Although we don’t have statistics, records show that it has fewer participants compared to other sports,” he said.
While it may seem violent, some see it as a way to make a living and a chance to confront their enemies.
