MTN Gladiators
Encyclopedia
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 contender
s 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.
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
produced by MTN for SABC3
SABC 3
SABC3 is a commercial South African Broadcasting Corporation television channel that carries programming in English and, as of April 2009, Afrikaans....
in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
from 1999 to 2001. Following South Africa's initial participation in the second International Gladiators
International Gladiators 2
International Gladiators 2 was filmed in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during 1995 and was broadcast on ITV in 1996, the second series of Gladiators using the International moniker...
and Springbok Challenge YouTube tournaments in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, 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 contender
Contender
Contender can refer to:* Contender , commonly used in books, TV shows, plays, and films* The Contender , a boxing-based reality television series or its spinoffs:** The Contender 2** The Contender Challenge: UK vs...
s 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
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
for every 1 point they were in front by.
The show was originally presented by Glenn Hicks
Glenn Hicks
Glenn Hicks is a former professional ice hockey left winger. He played for the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA.-External links:...
- 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
James Lennox
Lieutenant James Scott Lennox was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.Lennox was commissioned on 4 August 1917. He was assigned to 66 Squadron in Italy on 12 March 1918. He drove down his first foe on 20 May 1918, and continued to score until 27 October...
when it was resurrected for its penultimate fifth series in 2001.
The referees were legendary South African cricketer Cyril Mitchley
Cyril Mitchley
Cyril John Mitchley is a former South African first-class and Test cricket umpire. After a short playing career for Transvaal as a wicket-keeper, he became an umpire, culminating with him becoming a Test cricket umpire. Between 1992 and 2000, he stood in 26 Test matches and 61 One Day...
(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
Standard Bank Arena
Standard Bank Arena is an indoor sporting arena located in Johannesburg, South Africa. The capacity of the arena is 5,000 people.A large number of sports events and concerts have occurred in this arena.- External links :*...
, Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
(1999 - 2000) and Big Top Arena, Carnival City (2001) in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
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 4 |
Marieka Theunissen | |
| BLADE | Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 |
Clint Walters | |
| DIAMOND | Springbok Challenge Series 5 |
Bernadette Beyer | |
| FIRE YouTube |
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Magdalena Wysoczanska | |
| FORCE YouTube |
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 |
Joanne 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 5 |
Matthew Haldenby | |
| GOLD | Series 1 Series 2 |
Sherry Rissik | |
| GRANITE | Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Garth Collins | |
| ICE | Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Marion Hind | |
| IMPI | International Gladiators 2 International Gladiators 2 International Gladiators 2 was filmed in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during 1995 and was broadcast on ITV in 1996, the second series of Gladiators using the International moniker... |
Bible Mhizha | |
| JACKAL | Springbok Challenge 1 Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 |
Dave Ridley | |
| JAZZ | Series 5 | Bontle Litheko | |
| LIGHTNING | Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Springbok challenge 2 -Springbok Challenge 2: 2000:Venue: Standard Bank Arena, Johannesburg, South AfricaPresenters: Glenn Hicks and Ursula Stapelfeldt†Overall Series Winner... |
Rene Roberts Patel | |
| LYNX | Series 5 | Mariska Nel | |
| NIGHTSHADE | Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 |
Nelly Mokohoana | |
| QUARTZ YouTube |
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 |
Michelle Sievwright | |
| RHINO Mark Smith (gladiator) Mark Smith is an English Actor and body builder who starred as 'Rhino' on the popular ITV show, 'Gladiators'.-Career:... |
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 |
Themba John | |
| SAHARA YouTube |
International Gladiators 2 International Gladiators 2 International Gladiators 2 was filmed in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during 1995 and was broadcast on ITV in 1996, the second series of Gladiators using the International moniker... Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 |
Christy Skoglund | |
| SAMSON | International Gladiators 2 International Gladiators 2 International Gladiators 2 was filmed in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during 1995 and was broadcast on ITV in 1996, the second series of Gladiators using the International moniker... |
Bob Dahmen | |
| SHADOW | Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Desiré Thomas | |
| SHAKA | Springbok Challenge Series 4 |
Warren Simango | |
| SHEENA | Springbok Challenge (SA) | Tina Andrew | |
| SPIDER YouTube |
Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Sergio Capellino | |
| THUNDER | Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Jade Russell | |
| TUSK | Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 |
Shannon Gaskin | |
| VENUS | Series 5 | Alex Dorrestein | |
| WARRIOR YouTube |
Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Franco Kawaza | |
| WILDEBEEST | Springbok Challenge Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Springbok Challenge 2 Series 5 |
Andries Coetzee |
External links
- Gladiators Zone - Additional Information and Online Forum
- Dispatch Online - Gladiator fans, are you ready?
- TamyFoxBaker - Former Gladiator FOX's own website.