Deaf rugby player Jodie Ounsley joins new line-up of TV Gladiators
Earlier this month saw the reboot of 90’s classic Saturday night TV show Gladiators, and with it the debut of NEW Gladiator, ‘Fury’ (AKA 22-year-old rugby star, Jodie Ounsley) – the first ever deaf Gladiator in the show’s history!
Jodie is no stranger to sporting challenges and accolades. Not only was she the first deaf player to represent England’s sevens side in 2019, she’s also:
- a former British Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion
- winner of the Deaf Sports Personality of the Year 2020
- currently Honorary President of UK Deaf Sport.
Jodie is currently taking a break from Premiership Women’s Rugby (Exeter Chiefs winger) to star in the show:
“This opportunity is truly surreal for me, as I grew up watching my dad as a contender on the previous series. I never imagined that one day I would have the chance to be a Gladiator! I was always in awe of their strength and power and now I am one! I hope contenders are ready to feel the Fury. I’m looking forward to pushing myself to new limits and hopefully inspiring others to chase their dreams along the way.”
Jodie is an immense role model for deaf children and young people to aspire so we’ll be tuning in for sure, and encouraging our members to do the same!
Watch Fury’s debut in Gladiators here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001vfg6/gladiators-series-1-episode-1
