With a new, updated series of Gladiators launching on BBC we’re taking a look at all the new stars of the show who are gearing up to take on the contenders. And one Gladiator who stands out not just for her physical prowess but for her intellectual acumen as well is Athena.
Athena, named after the Greek Goddess of War and Wisdom, is played by Karenjeet Kaur Bains and this powerhouse of an athlete, with her beautiful blend of brain and brawn, is more than ready to live up to her name.
Karenjeet’s journey to the Gladiators stage is a pretty impressive one. As a professional powerlifter she proudly represents Team GB and has an impressive collection of accolades to her name. She really is a force to reckon with in the powerlifting world, boasting 3 Gold and 2 Silver Commonwealth Powerlifting medals. And she’s also claimed the titles of five-time All England Powerlifting Champion and five-time British Powerlifting Champion. Her athletic prowess doesn’t end there though; she’s also represented Great Britain at both the World and European Championships and even holds a Guinness World Record for the “Most Bodyweight Squats in a minute.”
But Athena’s story isn’t just about physical strength. She’s equally impressive off the field, where she excels as a Chartered Accountant. This combination of athletic and intellectual skills makes her a unique and inspiring role model, breaking stereotypes and challenging the traditional image of a Gladiator.
Speaking of being a role model, what truly sets Athena apart is her commitment to being just that, especially for those from diverse and minority backgrounds. As the first Sikh Gladiator, Karenjeet takes immense pride in her South Asian heritage and sees her role as an opportunity to inspire and empower others.
And Athena’s influence extends beyond the Gladiators arena. While her new @AthenaTheGladiator Insta account might be quite new, she’s no stranger to social media. Her personal account @Karenjeet_bains has over 30 thousand followers and her feed is full of inspiring, motivating powerlifting and strength training content.
Karenjeet recently shared a behind the scenes photo of her in her Gladiator costume with the caption “Don’t be fooled by this smile… I’m the Greek Goddess of War, and I’m aiming my arrow at anyone who dares to challenge me!” which perfectly sums up how she plans on charging in to the new series of the show. And we can’t wait to see her in action!
Find out more about other Gladiators: Everything You Need to Know About Electro from Gladiators or Everything You Need to Know About Electro from Gladiators.
