The first series of Gladiators began airing on Seven Network on 29 April 1995, following versions of the Gladiators format in United States, United Kingdom and Finland. The series closely resembled the British series albeit with just four events and the Eliminator.
Fifteen episodes were filmed in a progressive competition at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre between 24 March and 2 April. Kimberley Joseph and Aaron Pedersen presented the show whilst play by play commentary was by Tony Schibeci. John Alexander acted as referee and John Forsyth as assistant referee. Cheerleaders performed in the background of the events.
Winners of the heats received a Sony music system and a selection of CD's valued to $2,000. The runners up received a set of gym apparatus. The winners of the final won a car (Hyundai Sonata).
Gladiators
Male Condor - Alistair Gibb Cougar - Ashley Buck Force - John Gergelifi Hammer - Mark McGaw Taipan - Michael Melksham Tower - Ron Reeve Vulcan - John Seru
Force suffered an injury in Atlasphere in the third quarter final and had to retire from the show.
Female Blade - Bev Carter Cheeta - Nicky Davico Delta - Karen Alley Flame - Lynda Byrnes Fury - Julie Saunders Rebel - Barbara Kendell Storm - Charlene Machin
Events Atlasphere, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, Hit & Run, Powerball, Pyramid, Suspension Bridge, Tilt and Wall were played over Series 1.
The Eliminator featured as the final event in every show.
Shows Fifteen shows along with an unaired pilotOriginal Australian Series Episode Write Ups http://forum.gladiatorszone.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1973 were filmed with the televised shows taking the form of a progressive competition. Each show featured four events along with the Eliminator. The winner of the Eliminator would progress to the next round.
Winning challengers are in bold.Original Australian Series Episode Guide http://archive.gladiatorszone.co.uk/YaBB.pl?num=1087254252;start=all
Episode Contest Original airdate Challengers (Female) Challengers (Male) EventsN/AUnaired Pilot1N/ALisa Vs JaneBrian Vs JamesPowerball, Wall, Hang Tough, Duel01Heat 129 April 1995Heather Marychurch Vs Gina GoodClinton Barter Vs Howard ArbuthnotGauntlet, Pyramid, Powerball, Hit & Run02Heat 26 May 1995Bernie Withers Vs Tracey NicholsonAndrew Halliday Vs Adam CooneySuspension Bridge, Hang Tough, Atlasphere, Tilt03Heat 313 May 1995Sabrina Hooyman Vs Carol-Anne HorvathDavid Wallis Vs Paul VellaHit & Run, Wall, Duel, Powerball04Heat 420 May 1995Karen Swansborough Vs Hillary OrdTony Langdon Vs Corey ParkerPyramid, Tilt, Gauntlet, Suspension Bridge05Heat 527 May 1995Nellie Baker Vs Fernanda LaceyAshley Martin Vs Alex SanzAtlasphere, Wall, Hang Tough, Duel06Heat 63 June 1995Teresa Brett Vs Alison JacksonRod McQueen Vs John PowellGauntlet, Atlasphere, Hang Tough, Suspension Bridge07Heat 710 June 1995Annie Alderson Vs Kerry WarmanMark Brine and Ian JacobsPowerball, Hang Tough, Wall, Duel08Heat 817 June 1995Tania Logan Vs Donna Sutor/ Kathy Katzourakis2Rhett Foreman Vs Andrew StricklandPyramid, Gauntlet, Duel, Powerball09Quarter Final 124 June 1995Sabrina Hooyman Vs Nellie BakerAshley Martin Vs David WallisPyramid, Tilt, Wall, Suspension Bridge10Quarter Final 21 July 1995Kerry Warman Vs Bernie WithersAndrew Halliday Vs Ian JacobsPowerball, Duel, Hit & Run, Pyramid11Quarter Final 38 July 1995Teresa Brett Vs Karen SwansboroughRod McQueen Vs Tony LangdonWall, Atlasphere3, Hang Tough, Gauntlet12Quarter Final 415 July 1995Fernanda Lacey4 Vs Tania LoganHoward Arbuthnot Vs Rhett ForemanDuel, Pyramid, Hit & Run, Powerball13Semi Final 122 July 1995Teresa Brett Vs Nellie BakerDave Wallis Vs Rod McQueenSuspension Bridge, Pyramid, Powerball, Hang Tough14Semi Final 229 July 1995Fernanda Lacey Vs Bernie WithersAndrew Halliday Vs Rhett ForemanDuel, Wall, Tilt, Gauntlet15Final5 August 1995Teresa Brett Vs Bernie WithersDave Wallis Vs Andrew HallidayGauntlet, Duel, Pyramid, Hang Tough
1 The challengers in this episode were actually members of the production crew and changed throughout the episode. The names given were just for filming purposes. The headstarts given in the Eliminator were not based on points scored in the events. 2Replaced Donna after she fell on her pugil stick and injured her leg. 3This would be the last ever appearance by Force after falling over in his Atlasphere and injuring his leg. 4Replaced Gina Goode who having won her heat was unable to continue in the Quarter finals due to an ankle injury sustained in Powerball in her heat.
Episode summary
Heat 1 Original airdate: 29 April 1995 Challengers: Heather Marychurch v Gina Good, Clinton Barter v Howard Arbuthnot
+ Female Event Heather Gina Gladiators Gauntlet 0 5 Rebel, Cheeta, Blade, Fury & Delta Pyramid 0 0 Flame & Cheeta Powerball 2 2 Delta, Flame & Storm Hit and Run 2 8 Delta, Rebel, Fury & Cheeta TOTAL 4 15
+ Male Event Clinton Howard Gladiators Gauntlet 0 0 Vulcan, Condor, Cougar, Force & Tower Pyramid 10 0 Taipan & Hammer Powerball 0 0 Cougar, Hammer & Vulcan Hit and Run 0 0 Taipan, Tower, Condor & Force TOTAL 10 0
Eliminator Female: 5.5 second head start for Gina Male: 5 second head start for Clinton Winners: Gina Good & Howard Arbuthnot
Heat 2 Original airdate: 6 May 1995 Challengers: Bernadette Withers v Tracey Nicholson, Andrew Halliday v Adam Cooney
+ Female Event Bernadette Tracey Gladiators Suspension Bridge 0 0 Flame & Storm Hang Tough 0 0 Blade & Fury Atlaspheres 2 4 Delta & Rebel Tilt 10 5 Cheeta & Flame TOTAL 12 9
+ Male Event Andrew Adam Gladiators Suspension Bridge 0 0 Tower & Condor Hang Tough 10 5 Taipan & Cougar Atlaspheres 6 2 Hammer & Condor Tilt 10 5 Taipan & Tower TOTAL 26 12
Eliminator Female: 1.5 second head start for Bernadette Male: 7 second head start for Andrew Winners: Bernadette Withers & Andrew Halliday
Heat 3 Original airdate: 13 May 1995 Challengers: Sabrina Hooyman v Carol-Anne Horvath, David Wallis v Paul Vella
+ Female Event Sabrina Carol-Anne Gladiators Hit and Run 6 6 Blade, Delta, Cheeta & Rebel Wall 10 5 Blade & Storm Duel 5 0 Storm & Flame Powerball 0 4 Delta, Flame & Rebel TOTAL 21 15
+ Male Event David Paul Gladiators Hit and Run 4 0 Hammer, Force, Cougar & Taipan Wall 0 0 Cougar & Condor Duel 5 0 Vulcan & Tower Powerball 7 3 Cougar, Hammer & Taipan TOTAL 16 3
Eliminator Female: 3 second head start for Sabrina Male: 6.5 second head start for David Winners: Sabrina Hooyman & David Wallis
Heat 4 Original airdate: 20 May 1995 Challengers: Karen Swansborough v Hillary Ord, Corey Parker v Tony Langdon
+ Female Event Karen Hillary Gladiators Pyramid 0 0 Fury & Cheeta Tilt 10 0 Storm & Flame Gauntlet 10 5 Fury, Delta, Rebel, Blade & Flame Suspension Bridge 10 0 Rebel & Storm TOTAL 30 5
+ Male Event Corey Tony Gladiators Pyramid 0 0 Condor & Cougar Tilt 5 5 Vulcan & Tower Gauntlet 10 5 Condor, Vulcan, Hammer, Force & Tower Suspension Bridge 0 10 Taipan & Force TOTAL 15 20
Eliminator Female: 12.5 second head start for Karen Male: 2.5 second head start for Tony Winners: Karen Swansborough & Tony Langdon
Heat 5 Original airdate: 27 May 1995 Challengers: Nellie Baker v Fernanda Lacey, Ashley Martin v Alex Sanz
+ Female Event Nellie Fernanda Gladiators Atlasphere 2 2 Cheeta & Rebel Wall 5 10 Fury & Delta Hang Tough 10 10 Cheeta & Blade Duel 5 5 Storm & Flame TOTAL 22 27
+ Male Event Ashley Alex Gladiators Atlasphere 6 4 Tower & Hammer Wall 10 5 Taipan & Hammer Hang Tough 10 5 Condor & Cougar Duel 5 0 Tower & Vulcan TOTAL 31 14
Eliminator Female: 2.5 second head start for Fernanda Male: 8.5 second head start for Ashley Winners: Nellie Baker & Ashley Martin
Heat 6 Original airdate: 3 June 1995 Challengers: Teresa Brett v Alison Jackson, Rod McQueen v John Powell
+ Female Event Teresa Alison Gladiators Gauntlet 5 10 Storm, Rebel, Delta, Cheeta & Blade Atlasphere 2 2 Flame & Storm Hang Tough 0 0 Blade & Cheeta Suspension Bridge 0 10 Flame & Rebel TOTAL 7 22
+ Male Event Rod John Gladiators Gauntlet 0 0 Tower, Cougar, Vulcan, Condor & Hammer Atlaspheres 8 2 Force & Condor Hang Tough 5 5 Taipan & Hammer Suspension Bridge 0 10 Tower & Hammer TOTAL 13 17
Eliminator Female: 7.5 second head start for Alison Male: 2 second head start for John Winners: Teresa Brett & Rod McQueen
Heat 7 Original airdate: 10 June 1995 Challengers: Annie Alderson v Kerry Warman, Mark Brine v Ian Jacobs
+ Female Event Annie Kerry Gladiators Powerball 6 6 Cheeta, Delta & Rebel Hang Tough 5 5 Blade & Fury Wall 5 10 Storm & Blade Duel 5 5 Storm & Flame TOTAL 21 26
+ Male Event Mark Ian Gladiators Powerball 4 3 Hammer, Taipan & Vulcan Hang Tough 0 5 Cougar & Taipan Wall 10 5 Condor & Cougar Duel 5 10 Tower & Force TOTAL 19 23
Eliminator Female: 2.5 second head start for Kerry Male: 2 second head start for Ian Winners: Kerry Warman & Ian Jacobs
Heat 8 Original airdate: 17 June 1995 Challengers: Tania Logan v Donna Sutor/Kathy Katzourakis, Rhett Foreman v Andrew Strickland
+ Female Event Tania Donna/Kathy Gladiators Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Blade Gauntlet 0 0 Flame, Rebel, Cheeta, Blade & Delta Duel 5 0 Flame & Storm Powerball 2 4 Cheeta, Rebel & Storm TOTAL 7 4
+ Male Event Rhett Andrew Gladiators Pyramid 0 10 Condor & Vulcan Gauntlet 5 5 Force, Cougar, Hammer, Condor & Tower Duel 0 0 Cougar & Taipan Powerball 0 0 Hammer, Tower & Vulcan TOTAL 5 15
Eliminator Female: 1.5 second head start for Tania Male: 5 second head start for Andrew Winners: Tania Logan & Rhett Foreman
1 Donna injured herself after landing on her pugil stick in Duel, therefore Kathy replaced her in Powerball.
Quarter-Final 1 Original airdate: 24 June 1995 Challengers: Nellie Baker v Sabrina Hooyman, Ashley Martin v David Wallis
+ Female Event Nellie Sabrina Gladiators Pyramid 10 0 Cheeta & Delta Tilt 0 2 Flame & Cheeta Wall 10 5 Storm & Blade Suspension Bridge 0 0 Flame & Storm TOTAL 20 7
+ Male Event Ashley David Gladiators Pyramid 0 0 Tower & Condor Tilt 2 7 Tower & Vulcan Wall 10 0 Cougar & Taipan Suspension Bridge 0 0 Tower & Vulcan TOTAL 12 7
Eliminator Female: 6.5 second head start for Nellie Male: 2.5 second head start for Ashley Winners: Nellie Baker & David Wallis
Quarter-Final 2 Original airdate: 1 July 1995 Challengers: Kerry Warman v Bernadette Withers, Ian Jacobs v Andrew Halliday
+ Female Event Kerry Bernadette Gladiators Powerball 4 0 Blade, Delta & Flame Duel 0 0 Flame & Storm Hit and Run 12 10 Fury, Cheeta, Delta & Rebel Pyramid 0 0 Cheeta & Storm TOTAL 16 10
+ Male Event Ian Andrew Gladiators Powerball 0 8 Hammer, Taipan & Tower Duel 5 5 Vulcan & Tower Hit and Run 2 4 Taipan, Force, Hammer & Vulcan Pyramid 0 10 Cougar & Condor TOTAL 7 27
Eliminator Female: 3 second head start for Kerry Male: 10 second head start for Andrew Winners: Bernadette Withers & Andrew Halliday
Quarter-Final 3 Original airdate: 8 July 1995 Challengers: Karen Swansborough v Teresa Brett, Tony Langdon v Rod McQueen
+ Female Event Karen Teresa Gladiators Wall 10 0 Storm & Delta Atlaspheres 2 6 Rebel & Flame Hang Tough 5 5 Delta & Cheeta Gauntlet 10 10 Flame, Delta, Blade, Rebel & Fury TOTAL 27 21
+ Male Event Tony Rod Gladiators Wall 0 10 Condor & Cougar Atlaspheres 10 4 Force & Hammer Hang Tough 0 0 Taipan & Cougar Gauntlet 0 0 Vulcan, Taipan, Tower, Condor & Hammer TOTAL 10 14
Eliminator Female: 3 second head start for Karen Male: 2 second head start for Rod Winners: Teresa Brett & Rod McQueen
Quarter-Final 4 Original airdate: 15 July 1995 Challengers: Tania Logan v Fernanda Lacey, Howard Arbuthnot v Rhett Foreman
+ Female Event Tania Fernanda Gladiators Duel 5 5 Flame & Storm Pyramid 0 0 Delta & Cheeta Hit and Run 2 8 Flame, Fury, Blade & Rebel Powerball 2 2 Cheeta, Delta & Rebel TOTAL 9 15
+ Male Event Howard Rhett Gladiators Duel 5 0 Tower & Vulcan Pyramid 0 0 Hammer & Condor Hit and Run 8 8 Taipan, Tower, Cougar & Vulcan Powerball 0 2 Cougar, Hammer & Taipan TOTAL 13 10
Eliminator Female: 3 second head start for Fernanda Male: 1.5 second head start for Howard