Gladiator Athena stars in International Women’s Day Celebration

British athlete and TV personality Karenjeet Kaur Bains, commonly known as Athena from the hit BBC series Gladiators, spoke of how she is inspiring a new generation of female athletes during an event held yesterday.

Karenjeet was the keynote speaker at an International Women’s Day event, held in partnership with the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce and supported by Connected Places Catapult.

Guests were welcomed by ABCC president Omar Rashid who spoke about this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Accelerate Action. The Q&A session was hosted by ABCC vice president Sapreena Kumari

At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.

A trailblazer in powerlifting and television, Karenjeet has made history as the first South Asian woman to feature on Gladiators.

Her journey, shaped by a strong sporting heritage and unwavering determination, is now inspiring a new generation of female athletes.

She said: “My dad, a humble powerlifter, coached me from a young age, while my mum came from a family of wrestling champions. But her dreams were crushed before they could even begin.

“I was determined to make my mark.”

Growing up, she was inspired by her older twin brothers’ speed on the track.

“Watching them run fast made me want to be just like them. My parents encouraged me to chase my dreams,” she says.

That drive led her into athletics, but at 17, she found her true passion—powerlifting.

“You don’t need anything fancy—just passion and the drive to push your limits. For me, the limit doesn’t exist—it’s always about reaching the next level.”

This mindset helped her break barriers, culminating in her history-making role on Gladiators, as the first woman of South Asian heritage.

She continued: “Representation matters. Breaking barriers and smashing glass ceilings takes us one step closer to female empowerment.

“When I started, there were very few female powerlifters, but now, more women compete than men. Access to sports is growing, and I want to help open the floodgates for young girls.”

 “I want to make it easier for women to succeed in sport. Always remind yourself of your goals, seek the support you need, and believe in yourself.”

Looking ahead, she remains committed to breaking new ground.

“The future? More Gladiators, stepping into presenting, and championing women’s rights.”