Gladiators NYC

Three gladiators fight as a large crowd watches. One of the gladiators fights with their back on the ground.

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Three gladiators fight as a large crowd watches. One of the gladiators fights with their back on the ground.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator buttons their shirt underneath their protective equipment.

A gladiator named Alex prepares for battle.

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A gladiator buttons their shirt underneath their protective equipment.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator fastens protective equipment.

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A gladiator fastens protective equipment.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator stands, flanked by red curtain on both sides.

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A gladiator stands, flanked by red curtain on both sides.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Gladiators in the distance, viewed over the crown of a helmet.

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Gladiators in the distance, viewed over the crown of a helmet.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

An assortment of weapons: swords, axes, and hammers.

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An assortment of weapons: swords, axes, and hammers.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator holds a long sword over their shoulder.

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A gladiator holds a long sword over their shoulder.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator leads a person dressed as a princess in a field.

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A gladiator leads a person dressed as a princess in a field.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Two gladiators battle over a princess who is seated in the grass.

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Two gladiators battle over a princess who is seated in the grass.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Two gladiators watch two others in combat.

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Two gladiators watch two others in combat.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator bites is his mouthguard.

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A gladiator bites is his mouthguard.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Two gladiators lay on the ground.

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Two gladiators lay on the ground.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A woman in gladiator gear rubs her head.

Maddie Hartke, the only woman in the group, rubs away a headache following a bout.

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A woman in gladiator gear rubs her head.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Two gladiators embrace in a hug. One is shirtless

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Two gladiators embrace in a hug. One is shirtless

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Two parents -- one in gladiator dress -- tend to their crying child.

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Two parents -- one in gladiator dress -- tend to their crying child.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator takes a seated rest.

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A gladiator takes a seated rest.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

Laypeople, in regular clothes, stand, holding gladiator weapons, talking to a competitor.

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Laypeople, in regular clothes, stand, holding gladiator weapons, talking to a competitor.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A gladiator kneels as a child walk by holding a paddle.

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A gladiator kneels as a child walk by holding a paddle.

Li Qiang for Gothamist

A man wields a long sword alongside a gladiator's neck. In the background, a woman stands near a baby carriage.

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A man wields a long sword alongside a gladiator's neck. In the background, a woman stands near a baby carriage.

Li Qiang for Gothamist