SA Power Slapper Danie 'Pitbull' van Heerden joins us in studio
This unique athlete joins us in studio...
This klap master is putting SA on the map.
Danie 'Pitbull' van Heerden is flying the South African flag high on the global Power Slap stage.
This fairly new sport is receiving major support on social media. Danie has put on many memorable performances that have seen him reach fame on TikTok.
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Signed by Dana White, the founder of the UFC, this up-and-coming superstar has gone from humble roots in Pretoria to being South Africa's heavyweight champion. Here is a video of our champion:
@coolstorybru_ Danie van Heerden is a South African man competing in Power Slap 😂🤣🇿🇦 All the individuals in this video are professionals and are safe! #southafrica #tiktoksouthafrica #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 ♬ original sound - Cool Story Bru! 🇿🇦
Danie spent the early part of his career focusing on boxing and wrestling. Recently, he rejoined the fighting scene as a Power Slap competitor and hasn't looked back since! Having overcome adversity after losing his father, Danie found a home in this world of Power Slapping.
“This is sports on a world-class platform and you’re never too old or heavy for anything. I want to prove to myself that whatever I put my mind to, I can and will come out on top," Danie van Heerden shares with Good Things Guy.
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So the question still remains... how deadly is his slap? "It is deadly," remarks one social media user. According to Danie, it is actually illegal for him to slap someone in South Africa... and we can believe that!
How does Power Slapping work?
A coin toss determines the initial competitor, known as the "first striker", who has 60 seconds to administer an open-handed slap to the opponent's face, aiming between the eye and chin. The slap must be delivered with the whole hand simultaneously, without leading with the palm.
Technical requirements include ensuring the hand connects entirely with the face at once, avoiding leading with the palm. Opponents are not allowed to flinch, raise their shoulders, or tuck their chins during the slap. They have 60 seconds to recover and return to their standing position; otherwise, the slap is considered a knockout. If a knockout doesn't occur, the fight proceeds for three rounds, and judges determine the winner using a 10-point system based on the slap's effectiveness, as well as the recipient's reaction and recovery time.
Take a look at a snippet of a Power Slap battle:
TUNE IN as Danie van Heerden joins us this morning at 08:00. LISTEN LIVE.
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Image courtesy of X (Twitter)