Catapult was an event played during the initial UK series of Gladiators. In this event, particiants were suspended in the air to bungee cords and had to bounce themselves up and down with the contenders trying to throw balls into the goals the Gladiators were marking.

Rules

On the whistle, two contenders and two Gladiators would pull themselves up on their harnesses to gain momentum. Above each contender was a tray containing sponge balls. The contenders had to throw balls into the goal directly opposite them which a Gladiator was marking during the 60-second game. A successful goal would earn two points.

Contenders could throw as many balls as they wanted to per bounce but could only throw them at their allocated goal. In comparison, the Gladiator could only deflect balls thrown by their allocated contender. A Gladiator may not touch their goal deliberately or hold momentum on the bungee cords.

UK

Years active: 1998

Only three matches of Catapult were played, all during the final full series of the initial UK Gladiators run, with the women play twice as much as the men who only play the event once.

The event had many modifications between the initial concept and the first match with problems arising during both development and training, with the gameplay being completely rethought. The 1998 Gladiators programme lists Catapult as being along the lines of volleyball with a net between Gladiators and contenders.

Catapult did not return for the first series of the 2008 revival

Gladiators (2008 UK TV series)

Gladiators was a British television series which aired on Sky1 from 11 May 2008 to 25 October 2009. It was filmed in Shepperton Studios and was produced by Shine Limited. It was a revival of the earlier series of the same name and based on the American version of the show. The US, UK and...

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