Gladiator Fury takes on World Coal Carrying Championships

The Gladiators star, Jodie Ounsley, was only three years old when she looked astonished while her father walked through the garden with a huge bag of coal hung on her shoulders.

Little knew it was part of his training for the annual world coal transport championships, but that did not stop his curiosity.

Anxious to join, he grabbed a carrot sack and ran around the kitchen, his own mini version of the challenge.

After having won the children’s race five times at the West Yorkshire event, the former Rugby Union player is now setting his sight in the women’s event.

Monday’s event in Gawthorpe, near Ossett, sees runners sacks or coal through a distance or 3,320 feet (1,012m).

Traditionally, men transported charcoal and women of 12 lb (50 kg) of coal and women with 3 pounds (20 kg) from the Royal Oak pub at Mayypole Green from the village.

Jodie, known by many as fury for her role in the BBC One Show Gladiators, eagerly waits for the challenge, although a bit in a bit appealing way.

“I’m just thinking” What am I getting into? “” Says the 24 -year -old.

“You feel uncomfortable immediately, you have this uncomfortable carbon bag, you have your arms up and try to run.

“I think you take for granted when you are running, you can use your arms for impulse, but then have them here, it’s uncomfortable.”

She adds: “Basically, it is only the one who can deal with feeling uncomfortable for longer.”

Two weeks ago, the former Sevens player in England established a new World Guinness record at the Thornes Park Stadium in Wakefield, running 50 m while carrying a coal bag in just 8.06 seconds.

Despite his success and sports experience, he says that Monday’s challenge would be about home and much more a “mental battle.”

“With the world record of Guinness, that is a board, execute as quickly as possible, and that is what I am most well, I am more explosive and related to power.

“I had to do much more training to get to a good position to do it well [in the championships]They are absolutely loved because it has challenged me. “

Jodie attended the event in 2024 as a spectator to support his father Phil, a former winner of the male open race in 2007.

At that time, he said he hoped to return to take part in the branch.

When asked which gladiator would like to see the attempt of the race, he says: “I would love to see, Jamie, known as Giant.

“It’s just an absolute unit, it would be incredible for children to see it driving that hill.”

She adds: “It is such an unique event. You are literally running with a coal sail on your shoulders, it is so strange.

“But the feeling you have of that, I would love that anyone experiences that.”

As part of the race, Jodie is raising funds for the Elizabeth Foundation, which provides educational services for babies and preschool children with all deafness titles.

Jodie, who is deeply deaf and was equipped with a cochlear implant at an early age, attributes her support to shape who she is today.

The CEO director of the beneficial organization, Karen Paine Bem, says she is proud to Jodie, now her employer, will participate in this year’s championship and she “is” encouraging her in every step of the road. “

“As our patron, Jodie, together with his family, has been giving back to the beneficial organization for many years, helping us to support even more families with young children throughout the United Kingdom, including those of Yorkshire,” she says.

“She really is a true model to follow: deaf individuals of any age, and definitely for deaf children, parents, alumni, volunteers and staff of the Elizabeth Foundation.”

Jodie’s father, Phil will not compete this year: it is his turn to see her daughter from the lateral lines, while she exchanges that carrot bag for the real business.

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