‘We’re the Gladiators finalists – and we’ve got the battle scars to prove it’
It's been a gruelling but 'surreal' experience.
The Gladiators finalists have reflected on the gruelling but ‘surreal’ experience that has left them with a lifetime of memories and some scars too.
Joe Fishburn will be taking on Mus Dumbuya while Amanda Wah competes against Aneila Afsar to be crowned the next Gladiators champions.
And though it wasn’t an easy ride, from having to bulk up or lose weight for try outs, suffering injuries along the way, and recovering from the intense adrenaline, they’d all do it again in a heartbeat.
Ahead of the final airing tonight, the four athletes spoke to Metro about the once-in-a-lifetime challenge, and their inspirational achievements.
32-year-old youth worker Mus admitted the final airing was ‘nerve-racking’, while gym owner Amanda, 35, said her overriding feeling was ‘excitement’.
‘It’s a little bit sad that it’s almost coming to an end, because it’s been such a whirlwind of a journey. I think we’d all say it was one of the best things we’ve ever done, and it’s crazy but sad that it’s going to almost be ending now,’ added 26-year-old supply teacher Aneila.
Joe Fishburn will be taking on Mus Dumbuya in the final tonight (Picture: BBC / Graeme Hunter / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd) Mus admitted the final airing was ‘nerve-wracking’ (Picture: BBC/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/Graeme Hunter)The four finalists all came to apply for Gladiators from very different backgrounds.
Mus was a fan of the original 90s series, but was unaware of its return to the BBC until his mum encouraged him to try out after seeing applications for this second season had opened, recalling he ‘just did it all there and then’.
After a first call from producers, which he thought was a ‘joke’, Mus said he didn’t even think about the aspect of being on TV, but was focused on the tryouts.
Amanda, meanwhile, applied after becoming ‘an armchair hero’ while watching the last series with her kids.After boasting ‘I could do that’ in front of them, she was held accountable by her family and friends.
Amanda applied to Gladiators after watching the last season with her children (Picture: BBC / Graeme Hunter / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)‘I put my application in and within a week or so I was at the tryouts, everything was super quick.
‘It felt like a bit of a whirlwind of, “What is happening?” and even getting to the tryouts was phenomenal.’
She recalled the ‘shock’ she felt after getting through as a contestant, adding: ‘I just sat there and thought, “Is this really happening?”’
Gymnastics coach Joe, 23, described the experience as ‘surreal’, revealing how a friend of his was actually a contender on the second season of the original programme in the 90s, and encouraged him to apply for the relaunch.
Joe previously applied to be a Gladiator (Picture: BBC / Graeme Hunter / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)‘The first time around, nothing came of it and I think I even put in an application as a Gladiator,’ he shared.
After finally being given a spot as a contender, he repeated how ‘surreal’ it felt, adding he was ‘super grateful’.
Aneila also shared her gratitude for the experience, adding: ‘It’s just been a dream and such a whirlwind.’
She’s made it to the final after replacing personal trainer Zavia Hill, and is making history in the process as the first Muslim woman on Gladiators.
Aneila is making history as the first Muslim female contender on the show (Picture: BBC/David MacCormack/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/PA Wire) She replaces Zavia Hill, who had to drop out after an injury (Picture: BBC/Graeme Hunter/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/PA Wire)Talking about the inspirational achievement, she told us: ‘I knew it would have a big, positive impact, but I think even I underestimated the impact it would have.
‘I’ve had so many amazing messages from mums saying their daughters who have never really shown much interest in sports now really want to do things like gymnastics or Taekwondo. They feel like they’ve got this newfound confidence seeing a visible female Muslim role model engaging in competitive sports on television.
‘And I’ve also had messages from women in their 40s saying if they’d seen this on the original Gladiators then maybe their whole relationship with fitness would have been different growing up.
‘So yeah, it’s been absolutely amazing and it’s something that I hope to continue doing as well.’
While the experience for them all has been surreal, it did come with its fair share of aches and pains.
