- MTN Gladiators
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MTN Gladiators Format Sports entertainments show Country of origin South Africa
No. of series 5 x Domestic Series,
1 x International Gladiators,
2 x Springbok ChallengeProduction Running time 60 minutes
Broadcast Original channel SABC3 Original run 1999 – 2001 MTN Gladiators was a game show produced by MTN for SABC3 in South Africa from 1999 to 2001. Following South Africa's initial participation in the second International Gladiators and Springbok Challenge YouTube tournaments in Birmingham, England, the format developed a cult following in South Africa. In 1998 production finally began for a domestic series, eventually airing in 1999.
The show pitted contestants in a variety of physical events against the 'Gladiators', who would attempt to prevent them from achieving maximum points on a variety of games. After this, the two contenders would race each other on the Eliminator, an assault course containing climbing, balancing, and cargo nets. The contender with the most points received a half second head start for every 1 point they were in front by.
The show was originally presented by Glenn Hicks - executive producer of the first four series - and Ursula Staplefeldt. Following Glenn's departure from the show in 2000, he was replaced by James Lennox when it was resurrected for its penultimate fifth series in 2001.
The referees were legendary South African cricketer Cyril Mitchley (1999 - 2000) and international strongman Wayne "The Boss" Price (2001). The timekeepers over the show's run were Ingrid Chantler (1999-2000), and female Gladiator ICE (2001) - unable to compete due to pregnancy. The Gladiators and crowds alike were cheered on by a group of cheerleaders, known as G-Force.
All the MTN Gladiators tapings took place at the Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg (1999 - 2000) and Big Top Arena, Carnival City (2001) in South Africa.
A special second Springbok Challenge series, known simply as Springbok Challenge 2, against a team of British Gladiators and contenders was filmed in South Africa in 2000 YouTube.
Gladiators
Gladiator Name Gladiators Career Real Name Image AQUA/IVORY Springbok Challenge (IVORY)
Series 4Marieka Theunissen BLADE Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2Clint Walters DIAMOND Springbok Challenge
Series 5Bernadette Beyer FIRE
YouTubeSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Magdalena Wysoczanska FORCE
YouTubeSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2Joanne Rossi FOX Springbok Challenge 2 (UK)
Series 5 (SA)Tammy Baker GAZELLE Springbok Challenge Lara De Klerk GIANT Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Matthew Haldenby GOLD Series 1
Series 2Sherry Rissik GRANITE Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Garth Collins ICE Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Marion Hind IMPI International Gladiators 2 Bible Mhizha JACKAL Springbok Challenge 1
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4Dave Ridley JAZZ Series 5 Bontle Litheko LIGHTNING Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2Rene Roberts Patel LYNX Series 5 Mariska Nel NIGHTSHADE Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2Nelly Mokohoana QUARTZ
YouTubeSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4Michelle Sievwright RHINO Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4Themba John SAHARA
YouTubeInternational Gladiators 2
Springbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2Christy Skoglund SAMSON International Gladiators 2 Bob Dahmen SHADOW Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Desiré Thomas SHAKA Springbok Challenge
Series 4Warren Simango SHEENA Springbok Challenge (SA) Tina Andrew SPIDER
YouTubeSpringbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Sergio Capellino THUNDER Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Jade Russell TUSK Springbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2Shannon Gaskin VENUS Series 5 Alex Dorrestein WARRIOR
YouTubeSeries 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Franco Kawaza WILDEBEEST Springbok Challenge
Series 1
Series 2
Series 3
Series 4
Springbok Challenge 2
Series 5Andries Coetzee External links
- Gladiators Zone - Additional Information and Online Forum
- Dispatch Online - Gladiator fans, are you ready?
- TamyFoxBaker - Former Gladiator FOX's own website.
Notes
Categories:- 1999 television series debuts
- 2001 television series endings
- Sports entertainment
- MTN Gladiators
- Gladiators (TV franchise)
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