On his profile, we learn that Viking’s strong point is power.
TF1
TF1 is launching a new game on December 27, 2024. Entitled “Gladiators”, it will see “ordinary heroes facing extraordinary athletes”. Among them, there is a Swiss. Viking is played by a 30-year-old from Vevey. Even if he did not reveal his name to remain in character, he confided in what motivated him to participate in this show.
What motivated you to participate in this show?
This is the concept as such because there are several facets. There is the sporting aspect with real events and real duels. And there is also a more second-degree aspect. It’s true that muscular people are often categorized. I also liked that everyone played their character. This shows that we are above average. And to be able to face people, in quotes, ordinary people, it was quite interesting.
Did you choose your character or was it imposed on you?
So we couldn’t choose. We just did the casting and then they announced our characters. Afterwards, I think it would have been difficult for me to be another character given my physique (he laughs). And Viking suits me quite well.
What is your main asset for this competition?
I think I’m one of the most complete Gladiators. I’m quite tall and strong, but I’m also very fast and quite agile. Often when you are tall and muscular, you unfortunately lose a little mobility. And I’ve been trying to train thoroughly for quite a few years to be as complete as possible. We call them hybrid athletes. You can literally do anything. Except for the splits (he laughs). I’m not flexible, that’s my only fault.
You really don’t have any other weak point?
We all have points where we are a little less strong. I think I am a very complete athlete. Afterwards, I don’t like losing (he laughs), but it’s not a weak point.
Does competing against ordinary people mean preparing for competition differently than against elite athletes?
Honestly, we all prepared as if we were going to face elite athletes. Of course, there were ordinary people, but there were also very sporty ones. Being up against challengers with very good physiques made the show interesting and exciting.
Has sport always fascinated you?
Yes, since I was little! I started playing football and downhill skiing at 5 years old. I had some nice runs in both disciplines. When I was 18, I started working out. I went to England where the fitness philosophy is not the same as in Switzerland. I got a taste for it. At first, I was very focused on the aesthetic aspect. Then I realized it wasn’t just that. And since then, I’ve tried to be as complete as possible. I also always had a mentality where I didn’t necessarily want to be like everyone else, but to be more. It’s part of me.
What is your daily sports routine?
I have fairly strict programs, but then I do a little bit as I want. I am not a bodybuilder with a program to follow to the letter. Afterwards, there is a regularity because it remains training six days a week, or even sometimes every day. Sometimes, on my rest day, I do cardio. So I don’t have a really strict routine.
“In each episode, eight challengers – four men and four women – will compete remotely by measuring themselves against the Gladiators in four XXL games,” explains TF1 in a press release. The objective: score the most points to have an advantage during a final test. The best will qualify for the grand final. At the end of this, a man and a woman “will win the prestigious golden helmet, symbol of the eternal respect of Gladiators, and will share the sum of 50,000 euros”.
