Latest news with #MomentumCollective
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gladiators: Female final winner crowned
Warrington fitness trainer Amanda Wah has been crowned the female winner of the popular BBC show Gladiators. She went against Manchester supply teacher Aneila Afsar, who had earned a 1.5-second head start from their previous events but was beaten before the finish line on the final assault course of the Eliminator. Millions are expected to have watched the final, where the pair smashed and bashed their way through a series of brutal challenges. Wah dedicated her win to her late mother, saying the experience had been "unbelievable". The mother-of-two described the professional gladiators as the "biggest, fiercest, strongest people but also extremely supportive" and detailed their help with cramps and her shoe coming off. "They are professionals and they don't want to hurt anyone, they care and it's amazing." Hundreds of people watched the final at the Momentum Collective gym in Warrington, which Wah helps run and where she works as a fitness trainer. Given the show had been recorded earlier, she told BBC Radio Manchester it had been a challenge to keep the outcome to herself ahead of Saturday's broadcast. She has been supported by more than a hundred friends and family who went to support her during the show's filming at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield "I couldn't have asked for anything more," she said. Her rival contender, Aneila Afsar made history as the first on the show to wear a hijab and said she wanted to be "visible Muslim role model" for her daughter. She took the place of Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, who was unable to continue after a leg injury she suffered in the semi-final. Aneila admitted reaching the final was "bittersweet" and said it "wasn't the way I wanted to get there". She also called Zavia "an incredible contender" and said: "It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final. On coming second, she said: "I'm so proud - what a dream coming as the first competitor who's ever wore hijab and breaking so many barriers and to make it to the final. "This has been one of the best experiences of my life." Gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn, from Scarborough, beat London youth worker Mus Dumbuya to be crowned male winner of the 2025 series. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. 'Nothing we can't do': Gladiators' first hijabi contender aims to inspire
BBC News
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Gladiators: Excitement builds ahead of all-North West finale
Hundreds of people are expected to pack out a gym to watch their local trainer battle it out on the big screen in grand finale of the TV show Wah from Warrington is set to go head-to-head with fellow North West contender Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher from Manchester. Millions are expected to watch the two smash and bash their way through a series of brutal challenges before one is ultimately crowned female champion for Wah said she had kitted out the gym she owns with seats and a screen for the event for friends and family who had "all come along for the ride" on her journey to the final. The personal trainer and mother-of-two, who runs Momentum Collective in Warrington, said her experience on the show was one of a childhood dream turning into reality"I grew up watching it, and thought, oh my goodness, I want a go of that," she said. Given the show is recorded, she told BBC Radio Manchester it had been a challenge to keep the outcome to herself ahead of the final has been supported by more than a hundred friends and family who went to support her during the show's filming at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield"I couldn't have asked for anything more," she said. Her rival contender, Aneila Afsar made history as the first on the show to wear a hijab and said she wanted to be "visible Muslim role model" for her took the place of Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, who was unable to continue after a leg injury she suffered in the semi-final. Aneila admitted reaching the final was "bittersweet" and said it "wasn't the way I wanted to get there".She also called Zavia "an incredible contender" and said: "It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final."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."Gladiators: Grand Final is on 12 April at 17.50 BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
