Gladiators contestant 'devastated' as injury forces them to withdraw from final
A contestant has been forced to withdraw from the Gladiators grand final after sustaining a leg injury during the second semi-final.
Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, was hit during one of the games on the BBC show's semi-final, and at first it seemed like she would continue.
She was treated by a physiotherapist backstage and made it to The Eliminator, taking home the win.
But Zavia has now been forced to withdraw from next Saturday's (April 12) grand final.
Her place will be taken by the fastest female runner-up from the semi-finals, Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher also from Manchester.
Aneila Afsar will replace Zavia Hill in the 2025 Gladiators grand final. (Image: BBC/David MacCormack/Hungry Bear Media Ltd/PA Wire)
Zavia said: 'Reaching the final felt special, I usually give up when I feel like I've failed.
'After injuring my leg in the Gauntlet, I convinced myself I was out. But at the start of the Eliminator, I thought, not this time. Give it your all, girl.'
She also said that during the Gauntlet game, where Gladiators try to prevent contenders passing with the aide of power-pads, she 'knew my time on the show was probably over, I was devastated'.
'I got very emotional after I realised I'd hurt my leg as bad as I did,' Zavia added.
'When I got home and the adrenaline had worn off, I realised I could hardly move my leg but on the plus side, I got to watch the final from the front row and cheer both of my friends on.'
Aneila said reaching the final was 'bittersweet' adding: 'Anyone who's been following the show knows how badly I wanted to make it to the final, but this isn't the way I wanted to get there.
"At the same time, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity and so excited for what's ahead.'
She also called Zavia 'an incredible contender and an even better person".
"It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final," she added.
She continued: 'Winning Gladiators would be amazing. I'm a competitive person and a former pro-athlete so I'm always in it to win it.
'But honestly, just getting here is huge. I've already broken so many barriers as the first Muslim woman on the show, and now being in the final is incredible.
'I know that my presence alone will have a positive impact on Muslim women, and that means everything to me.'
She will face Warrington gym owner Amanda Wah on the women's side of the draw in the Gladiators grand final.
While Scarborough-born gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn and east London youth worker Mus Dumbuya will go head-to-head in the men's final.
Army officer Finlay Anderson and personal trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson were crowned Gladiators Champions in 2024.
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How to apply for Gladiators as BBC hunts for 'bravest' contenders for series 3
Hosts Bradley and Barney Walsh as well as the Gladiators will return for the series two final on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday (April 12).
Gladiators: Grand Final will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer next Saturday (April 12) at 5.50pm.
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