European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 7, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Contestants try to muscle in on a gladiators by Mike Genalo new York Bureau it was thumbs Down for Many Wannabe gladiators at the coliseum. The decision Wasny to being made by Caesar and a Bloodthirsty crowd but rather the gladiators themselves. Over 5,000 contestants attended tryouts at the new York coliseum to vie for the Honor of going head to head with some of americans finest physical specimens in Competition on the syndicated television show the american gladiators. The show might air in Europe As Early As August is entering its third season. Each year it holds tryouts around the United states for contestants. This year tryouts opened in new York then moved on to los Angeles Tampa Fla. And Minneapolis. Between 10,000 and 15,000 people enter the Competition for spots on the program. Of those who manage to Complete the elimination process Only 48 with four alternates Are chosen to Fly to los Angeles and appear on the program. There Arentt that Many disappointed qualifiers. The obstacles in this physical phase of the Competition Weed out an overwhelming majority of the applicants. Initially All contestants must compete in self the Samuel Goldwyn company Gladiator Gold in wrestling event. Eliminating events that test the strength and agility of both men and women. The first event is the Chin up. Men must do 22 Chin ups women seven a in 30 seconds. Failure to Complete that phase gets you Quick directions to the door. For the successful there Are additional trials in the 40-Yard dash men must break 5 seconds women 6 second the rope climb running ladders and to Wirball. Each phase involves competing either against oneself or the clock. Each applicant has to accomplish a minimum number of repetitions of any exercise or Complete the event in a specific amount of time. Its Only at the end when they face off in to Wirball a which apparently has Little or no rules a that they actually go one on one against another applicant. Having completed that grueling course where Many applicants appear to be on the verge of collapse they find they still Haven to qualified for the show. The successful contestants have to face an interview with members of the production staff where personality and to image arc considered As important As the physical aspects of the meet. A a we re a to show a said spokeswoman Wendy Zocks. A the physical aspects arc very important but we also must consider the fact that we be got to entertain our viewing Jack a policeman from new Jersey was one of the dejected. He had slipped and lost his balance failing to Complete the Chin up phase. Disgusted with himself he explained Why he tried out. A a it a a question of self Pride a he said. A you want to prove to yourself that you can do it prove that you re As Good As if not better than the other Guy. Nobody beat me nobody paused me to fall. Its going to Bug me for a Long while the program does give Cash prizes a Over $200,000 to All participants a its nothing like the Money to be made on wheel of Fortune or jeopardy Geoff a con Edison worker from new York City who managed to get Midway through the events before eliminating himself relished the Competition. A a it a like when you go out on sunday and play a Friendly game of football a he said a Only Here you done to know anyone so you can go All out. Ami not worry about How it makes the other Guy a a a highlight for All contestants is the Opportunity to meet and talk to the shows stars. Many took advantage of the Chance to gel their picture taken with Gladiator Lori Quot Lee Quot Fetrick. When it came to picture taking the imposing Michael a a gemini Horton 6-foot-4, 255 pounds of Well developed muscle obviously enjoyed mugging for the camera putting on his most menacing the actual to Competition the format Calls for four contestants two male and two female. The contenders compete a against their male or female counterparts on the Gladiator team. The contestant amassing the most Points against the gladiators by the end of the program is declared the Winner and advances to the next round. A a there a a lot of physical involvement Here a gemini said. A people get banged up and bruised and the competitors arc getting tougher every 4 w the Samual Goldwyn company gladiators Nitro foreground and Thunder take on swingers in Cannonball event. July 7 1991 sunday a
