Gladiator Athena's life off screen from accountancy degree to Commonwealth champ

27 January 2024 , 17:50

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Karenjeet won three golds and two silvers at the Commonwealth Games (Image: BBC)

Iconic TV show Gladiators has returned to our screens in a new home on BBC One and there are 16 new strong men and women contenders have to face. Bradley and Barney Walsh are presenting the show, with a mix of new and old events including the thrilling Eliminator finale, which sees the contenders go head to head.

Karenjeet Kaur Bains is a champion powerlifter with a seriously impressive CV, representing Team GB at two Commonwealth Games. In 2015 she broke two British records at the event in Vancouver, finishing fifth before 2019 in Newfoundland when she became Commonwealth Champion, winning three gold medals and two silvers.

Five times an All England Powerlifting Champion and British Powerlifting Champion, the 27-year-old athlete has represented Great Britain at World and European Championships and even holds the Guinness World Record for "Most Bodyweight Squats in a minute".

Athena teams up with Gladiator Fury to tackle a contender (BBC / James Stack / © Hungry Bear Media Ltd)

Taking on the alter ego of the Greek goddess of war and wisdom in Gladiators, Karenjeet said: "With wisdom it’s about out smarting the contenders and I love bringing that. But she's also got that speed and agility, she’ll always be thinking ahead and playing fair but she won’t make it easy for them (contenders) either."

The first Sikh Gladiator wants to show women from diverse and minority backgrounds they can pursue their sporting dreams. "I represent all those from diverse and minority backgrounds, especially women, that have ever been denied the opportunity to pursue their dreams in sport," said Athena. "I hope I can be a role model and show the levels a female can achieve if she is given the opportunity to follow her passion and given the wings to fly."

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Athena is the first Sikh Gladiator

Karenjeet is a chartered accountant as well as a champion powerlifter (@karenjeet_bains/Instagram)

The intelligent athlete, who hails from Warwickshire, is a qualified chartered accountant too. "Outside of Athena, I’m an accountant as well so sky is the limit," she said. "I think it’s about pushing the boundaries and smashing those stereotypes.

"The thing about being a gladiator is facing your fears, really being up for the challenge," she added. "It’s an iconic TV program I’ve heard so much from my parents and my brothers about how incredible it was, so this is a dream come true."

Watch Gladiators on Saturdays at 5.50pm, BBC One and BBC iPlayer

Vikki White