Birthday celebration for Gladiator fighter

A PERSONAL trainer will be reliving the moments he took on the might of the Gladiators and celebrating his birthday at the same time this weekend.

At 5ft 4in, and weighing in at just eight-and-a-half stone, Wai Ling Shin is the smallest contender in the new Gladiators series.

The 25-year-old, of Long Eaton, beat off competition from 20,000 applicants to land a place on the show.

He was one of 32 people picked to pit their strength against the power of 12 new gladiators and Mr Shin filmed his appearance in April.

The former Long Eaton School pupil will be re-living those moments when the show is aired on Sunday – the same day Mr Shin and his twin brother, Wai Hong Shin, turn 26.

He said: “I'm going to get together with my family and friends to watch the show on Sunday and celebrated my birthday at the same time.

“Taking part in Gladiators was incredibly challenging, but great fun at the same time.

“The day of filming feels really surreal now as it went so quickly – it will be good to watch it on television.”

Among the events Mr Shin competed in were Hang Tough, The Gauntlet and Duel.

He is remaining tight-lipped about the outcome of his appearance which will be shown on Sky, at 6pm, on Sunday.