Gladiators is back on iPlayer and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ one and the new series sees a fresh crop of Contenders take on the superhuman Gladiators in five brutal events before going head-to-head in the gruelling Eliminator, in the ultimate test of speed and strength.
Series two is tougher and more powerful than ever, as it not only sees the long-awaited return of the legendary Atlaspheres and introduction to brand-new event, Unleash, but two brand new Gladiators are entering the arena.
First up is 23-year-old Cyclone. She's an Irish Powerlifter and at 5 foot 10 considers herself the ultimate all-round athlete.
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- Find out everything you need to know for Gladiators series 2
Meet Cyclone
Tell us about Cyclone
Cyclone is a lethal weapon and a force of nature. She brings that dark feminine energy and is the epitome of strength and athleticism, and she’s not afraid to own any space she’s in. She’s powerful, determined and straight talking. She’s not here to make friends – she’s here to win.
What would you say are your Gladiator’s strongest character traits and physical strengths? And which event plays most to your strengths and where would you say you should be most feared as an opponent?
Laser focus, physical strength, speed, agility and overall power. I’m big, tall and strong, so I’m automatically a beast at Duel. I’m also a weapon at Powerball, I’m very quick on my toes and my tackles have impact. It’s not fun being on the other end of that, trust me!
How do you prepare yourself physically for Gladiators?
I eat…a LOT. It takes a lot of calories to build muscle and recover from the intense training. My approach to training is working backwards from what I want to achieve. If I want to be better at Powerball, I train short sprints with quick changes of directions. If I want to get better at The Wall, I climb more. I enjoy a varied split, so I enjoy every second of it.
What did you think when your saw the set for the first time? What can audiences expect from the new series?
The set is truly breathtaking, the projections that pan across the whole arena are electrifying and the atmosphere is unbelievable. As an athlete I am used to performing in front of a crowd, but Sheffield was a whole new experience. The audience were wild, screaming at the top of their lungs, cheering, booing, waving their handmade posters, they were truly unreal. Being out with such a huge crowd gives you that energy you need to perform to the best level you can.
What can people expect from the new series?
People can expect a show! The other Gladiators have also taken it to a whole other level with their performances and the entertainment factor. The addition of the two new Gladiators, one of which is the most intense and powerful Gladiator – I’m referring to me of course – brings another level of excitement and thrill.
What was it like working with hosts Barney and Bradley Walsh? Any anecdotes to share?
Barney and Bradley are both great to work with. They get really excited by the events, but I think they’re afraid of me!
HM2