TWO burly men stand on either side of a heavy iron table, rigid and ready for battle. They take a deep breath as they stare into one another’s eyes. Then they nod to each other, signalling they’re ready to trade blows.
Pieter “Bulldog” Vorster winds up his right arm mere millimetres from opponent Alex Ravis’ face. He moves closer, preparing for his second practice swing.
Now the distance between them is just right.
As Bulldog pulls his arm back a third time, thunderous applause erupts from the 500 spectators who’ve come to see the two face off at the No Name Village, a hangout in Vaal Park near Sasolburg where tonight’s clash is taking place.
Shockwaves reverberate through the room as his palm connects with Alex’s cheek, sending him careering.
Alex desperately reaches for the two holding knobs on the table, but his legs have given out and he tumbles backwards onto the floor.
After a medic has made sure he’s okay, Bulldog is declared the winner.
Welcome to the world of competitive slap fighting – where grown men take turns striking each other in the face as hard as they can until someone submits or is knocked out.
Alex may have been slapped silly but there are no hard feelings, event organiser Robert Krisch says.
“We’re like one big family.”
SLAP fighting began in Russia about five years ago but descended into mainly uncontrolled fistfights until the craze spread to America, where rules were established and fights were offered at regulated events.
This story is from the 12 October 2023 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 12 October 2023 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you