The Lowveld’s own Jaco ‘Grootwit’ Marneweck is the Punisher Slap Fighting super heavyweight champion.

Grootwit defeated Iceman at Mustangs – The Dancing Place on Saturday night, June 1.
The Punisher Promotions Nelspruit Slap Fighting Tournament drew a big crowd on the night.

Grootwit made his debut against André ‘Dupie’ du Preez at the same venue on April 1 last year. He tore a bicep on his second slap and could not continue the fight, so Dupie won the bout on a points decision.

After months of rehabilitation, Grootwit started training for his second fight. It was the main event on an 11-fight bill.

Fights were over three rounds (three slaps per competitor with a 30-second break between each). A win can be earned by points decision or knockout. If a fighter flinches on a slap or moves a foot, point penalties are given.

Grootwit’s opponent on Saturday night was Martin ‘Iceman’ Gerber.

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The big Lowvelder had been extremely disappointed with the outcome of his debut slap fight. “I had to wait more than a year because of my bicep being torn against Dupie (RIP, brother). It meant the whole world to me to be able to do this in front of my home fans. A lot of pressure was on me, and the prefight formalities were nerve-racking, but I fed off all the energy of the crowd, especially when my brothers from White River Rugby Club chanted our theme: ‘We are red, we are white, we are dynamite!’ That gave me a lot of confidence,” Grootwit said.

He went on to win the fight and the title belt with his third slap that knocked Iceman out. “I won the coin toss and chose to slap first. My first slap I called right in two [slapping with right hand on the count of two]. As I gave my klap, my opponent flinched and pulled back, which made me lose my balance. We ended up in a penalty against both of us.

“His first klap was on target and extremely powerful, but I ate that shot like mieliepap in the morning.

“My second klap I called right on three and gave him one hell of a shot – rocked his world – but he did not fall. His second shot was also extremely hard and very well placed. Again, I ate that like a bowl of mieliepap in the morning.

“My third and final klap was called – right on two. I put all my trust in my training and my emotions, and drew all the energy off the crowd, and I klapped him to the floor.”

Grootwit’s fans went wild at his victory, and the big man acknowledged their support. “I was very overwhelmed, but extremely happy and excited. It was such an honour to be crowned the super heavyweight champion. What a privilege it was to have done this with a knockout in front of my home crowd and both my parents. I am still taking it all in. But I am very humble,” he said.

Once Iceman recovered, he congratulated Grootwit. “Iceman is a true gentleman and a helluva nice guy to know. He gives a massive shot and all due respect and love to him.”

Grootwit is expecting a busy future as the champion. “Being the new champ, I will obviously be called out. I would like to invite all the toughest of okes. For now, though, I reckon the belt is gonna stay in the Lowveld for quite a bit. The future looks bright. I would like to have an opportunity to take on the best in the world and get my name, my city and our country on the map in this sport, like our champ, Dricus du Plessis, did in the UFC,” said Grootwit.

The other results were: 
Fight 1: Wikus “Cupcake” Ludick won against Hendrik “Vetseun” Potgieter
Fight 2: Naas “Tinkerbell”Richardson lost against blue team Shaun Scheepers
Fight 3: Luan “Pote”van Vyl won against Johan Jansen “Looselaw” van Vuuren
Fight 4: Mark “Wolverine” Phillipson won against Ockert “Supercharger” Grobler.
Fight 5: Wessel “Da Silencer” Bronkhorst lost against Gary “Cracker” Burrow
Fight 6 red: Juan “Piston” Jansen van Vuuren lost against Armand “The Butcher” Marnitz
Fight: Pieter “Lapua” Viljoen won against Matthew Ïrish Power” O’ Connor
Fight 8: Chris “Dynamite” Steenkamp lost by TKO against Mike “Viking” van Tonder
Fight 9: Terence Labuschagne won against Dorian “Demolisher” Jooste
Fight 10: Bobby Krisch won against Eric “Mieliepap” Nkosi.