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Gladiators: Excitement builds ahead of all-North West finale Gladiators: Winner crowned of all-North West female finale
(about 13 hours later)
Amanda Wah will face off against fellow North West contender Aneila Afsar Amanda Wah and Aneila Afsar made up the all-North West female finale
Hundreds of people are expected to pack out a gym to watch their local trainer battle it out on the big screen in grand finale of the TV show Gladiators. Warrington fitness trainer Amanda Wah has been crowned the female winner of the popular BBC show Gladiators.
Amanda Wah from Warrington is set to go head-to-head with fellow North West contender Aneila Afsar, a supply teacher from Manchester. She went against Manchester supply teacher Aneila Afsar, who had earned a 1.5-second head start from their previous events but was beaten before the finish line on the final assault course of the Eliminator.
Millions are expected to watch the two smash and bash their way through a series of brutal challenges before one is ultimately crowned female champion for 2025. Millions are expected to have watched the final, where the pair smashed and bashed their way through a series of brutal challenges.
Ms Wah said she had kitted out the gym she owns with seats and a screen for the event for friends and family who had "all come along for the ride" on her journey to the final. Wah dedicated her win to her late mother, saying the experience had been "unbelievable".
The mother-of-two described the professional gladiators as the "biggest, fiercest, strongest people but also extremely supportive" and detailed their help with cramps and her shoe coming off.
"They are professionals and they don't want to hurt anyone, they care and it's amazing."
Hundreds of people watched the final at the Momentum Collective gym in Warrington, which Wah helps run and where she works as a fitness trainer.
Aneila Afsar became the first contender in Gladiators history to wear a hijabAneila Afsar became the first contender in Gladiators history to wear a hijab
The personal trainer and mother-of-two, who runs Momentum Collective in Warrington, said her experience on the show was one of a childhood dream turning into reality Given the show had been recorded earlier, she told BBC Radio Manchester it had been a challenge to keep the outcome to herself ahead of Saturday's broadcast.
"I grew up watching it, and thought, oh my goodness, I want a go of that," she said.
Given the show is recorded, she told BBC Radio Manchester it had been a challenge to keep the outcome to herself ahead of the final broadcast.
She has been supported by more than a hundred friends and family who went to support her during the show's filming at the Utilita Arena in SheffieldShe has been supported by more than a hundred friends and family who went to support her during the show's filming at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield
"I couldn't have asked for anything more," she said."I couldn't have asked for anything more," she said.
Aneila Afsar replaced Zavia Hill (left), who suffered a leg injury despite winning the semi-finalsAneila Afsar replaced Zavia Hill (left), who suffered a leg injury despite winning the semi-finals
Her rival contender, Aneila Afsar made history as the first on the show to wear a hijab and said she wanted to be "visible Muslim role model" for her daughter.Her rival contender, Aneila Afsar made history as the first on the show to wear a hijab and said she wanted to be "visible Muslim role model" for her daughter.
She took the place of Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, who was unable to continue after a leg injury she suffered in the semi-final.She took the place of Zavia Hill, a personal trainer from Manchester, who was unable to continue after a leg injury she suffered in the semi-final.
Aneila admitted reaching the final was "bittersweet" and said it "wasn't the way I wanted to get there".Aneila admitted reaching the final was "bittersweet" and said it "wasn't the way I wanted to get there".
She also called Zavia "an incredible contender" and said: "It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final.She also called Zavia "an incredible contender" and said: "It's an honour to represent her and I'll actually be wearing some of her gems in the final.
"Winning Gladiators would be amazing. I'm a competitive person and a former pro-athlete so I'm always in it to win it. On coming second, she said: "I'm so proud - what a dream coming as the first competitor who's ever wore hijab and breaking so many barriers and to make it to the final.
"But honestly, just getting here is huge. I've already broken so many barriers as the first Muslim woman on the show, and now being in the final is incredible." "This has been one of the best experiences of my life."
Gladiators: Grand Final is on 12 April at 17.50 BST on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn, from Scarborough, beat London youth worker Mus Dumbuya to be crowned male winner of the 2025 series.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.