05-04-2025
Gladiator fans concerned for 'battered' contestant after suffering injuries
During tonight's semi final of Gladiators (April 5), fans were concerned for one contestant following her numerous injuries.
In the women's contest, it was a Manchester "showdown" between Zavia and Aneila.
But as Zavia took on Powerball with Gladiator favourite Fire, she ended up winding herself moments into the game.
After referee Mark Clattenburg paused the game to make sure she was well enough to carry on, Zavia soon ended up falling to the floor again with Fire landing on top of her.
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As she went to escape the hold of the Gladiator, she twisted her knee but was determined to carry on.
At the end of the game, although she was in high spirits, Zavia told host Bradley Walsh she felt "battered".
However, ahead of the Eliminator, fans of the BBC game show seemed to be concerned about Zavia, as they took to X to share their thoughts throughout the episode.
One commented: "#gladiators feel sorry for Zavia as she is going to struggle if she continues now she is injured."
Another said: "#gladiators if she's that uncomfortable why does she not receive medical attention? She's gonna end up not being able to do eliminator."
"Shouldn't be allowed to continue with dodgy knee #gladiators," shared this account.
Someone who was rooting for Zavia wrote: "Poor Zavia, she's really injured but keeps carrying on! #Gladiators."
This user also posted in support: "Zavia possibly injured?! In the semi final. But the way she kept going. Good on her., #gladiators."
One viewer complimented: "Zavia is made of iron #Gladiators."
In the end, after a few limps, Zavia conquered the Eliminator and made it to the final of Gladiators 2025, beating her contestant and fellow Manchester resident Aneila.
Gladiator star Fire, whose real name is Montell Douglas, recently shared she and her fellow athletes were 'put through the wringer' when being selected for the reboot of the hit game show.
When asked how they became Gladiators at Advertising Week Europe 2025, Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey), a former Olympic sprinter, told the event in central London earlier this week: "They were looking for genuine, real-life superheroes.
'They found us with the help of social media and once that process started it was just one of those things that made sense… it was a bit of a no-brainer.'
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Douglas added: 'They did put us through the wringer, don't get it twisted guys.
'When people ask 'what did you do to be a Gladiator', I'm like 20 years of my life, dedication.
'You have to have a lot of heart and grit which I think we all have.'
