Sheli McCoy is the athlete behind the fierce Gladiator persona Sabre on the BBC revival of Gladiators. A Dundee-based CrossFit competitor and Olympic weightlifter, she has built a reputation as one of Scotland’s most recognisable strength athletes. Her age, background, career, and recent performances – including the confusion with actress Maimie McCoy – have made her a subject of growing public interest.
Born on 10 July 1988, Sheli McCoy turned 37 in 2025. She grew up in Windsor, England, but moved to Scotland to study at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. She later settled in Dundee, where she runs her own gym and works as a personal trainer and sports rehabilitation therapist. Her journey from weightlifting competitor to television Gladiator has been gradual, but the BBC reboot thrust her into the national spotlight.
McCoy is a five-time competitor at the British Weightlifting Championships and has represented Scotland internationally in CrossFit. Her Gladiators alter ego, Sabre, is known for speed and precision – a fitting name for an athlete who trains up to 19 hours per week.
Who Is Sheli McCoy? Age, Hometown and Background
| Full name | Sheli Jane McCoy |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 (born 10 July 1988) |
| Hometown | Dundee, Scotland (born in Windsor, England) |
| Profession | CrossFit athlete, Olympic weightlifter, BBC Gladiator (Sabre) |
| Training | 16–19 hours per week |
| Portrays | Sabre on BBC’s Gladiators |
- Sheli McCoy is the real name of the Gladiator Sabre on the BBC reboot.
- Despite her rising fame, many online searches confuse her with actress Maimie McCoy, who has no connection to Gladiators or Dundee fitness.
- She trains 16–19 hours per week, balancing strength work, conditioning, and Gladiators-specific drills.
Sheli McCoy’s CrossFit and Weightlifting Career
CrossFit Background
McCoy started CrossFit early in her fitness journey and quickly rose through the Scottish ranks. She is described as a “UK CrossFit inspiration” by the Agoge TV podcast and has competed internationally. Her training volume – 16–19 hours per week – is typical for athletes balancing multiple disciplines.
Competition snapshot: McCoy is a five-time competitor at the British Weightlifting Championships and has set Scottish records in weightlifting. She also holds Scottish champion titles in both CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting, according to GladiatorsTV and The Scotsman.
Her Olympic weightlifting career includes multiple appearances at the British Weightlifting Championships. In 2023 she set Scottish records, a year before she debuted on Gladiators. Examiner Live reported that her strength background made her a natural fit for the show’s physical challenges.
From Athlete to Entrepreneur
McCoy has been a personal trainer for over 13 years and a CrossFit coach for around 10 years. She owns a gym in Dundee and also works as a sports rehabilitation therapist. The My Time Capsule podcast confirms her long career in fitness.
Sheli McCoy as Sabre in BBC Gladiators
How She Became a Gladiator
The BBC revived Gladiators in 2024, casting a new generation of elite athletes. McCoy was selected to play Sabre, a persona that emphasises sharpness and speed. She was announced as part of the cast in 2023, before the show aired, and quickly became one of its most recognisable faces.
As Sabre, McCoy competes in events such as The Eliminator, Duel, and Powerball. Her heavy training load includes strength work, conditioning, and event-specific drills. Her CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting background is central to her performance.
Sabre is a stage name. Her full legal name is Sheli Jane McCoy, and she uses her real identity publicly. The BBC and GladiatorsTV materials consistently refer to her as Sheli McCoy, not by her Gladiator alias alone.
Local newspapers in Dundee and Scotland have profiled her extensively. The Courier profile calls her a “Dundee fitness entrepreneur”.
Sheli McCoy’s Latest Performance: Scottish Gladiators Event (December 2025)
On 21 December 2025, Sheli McCoy took part in what several sources refer to as the Scottish Gladiators event at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow. The Courier reported that “the 37-year-old, who is known for portraying Sabre in the hit BBC show, was at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday.” The article praised her performance but did not provide a detailed breakdown of the event.
Because details of this specific event are limited to a single local news report, it is not possible to confirm broader performance metrics or audience reactions.
Limited independent confirmation: The only detailed source for the December 2025 Scottish Gladiators event is The Courier.
Sheli McCoy Career Timeline
- 10 July 1988: Born in Windsor, England.
- ~2010s: Established herself in CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting in Scotland.
- Moved to Dundee and began working as a personal trainer.
- 2023: Announced as Sabre for BBC Gladiators.
- 2024: Debuted on the BBC Gladiators reboot.
- December 2025: Took part in the Scottish Gladiators event at OVO Hydro.
Common Confusions: Sheli McCoy vs Maimie McCoy
| Sheli McCoy | Maimie McCoy |
|---|---|
| Sheli Jane McCoy is the real name of the Gladiator Sabre. | British actress known for The Musketeers. |
| CrossFit athlete and Olympic weightlifter, not an actress. | No link to Gladiators, fitness, or Dundee. |
To verify Maimie McCoy’s identity, see her IMDb profile. No credible source connects her to Sheli McCoy.
Context: The Rise of Sheli McCoy in the Gladiators Reboot
The BBC’s Gladiators reboot brought a new generation of athletes to the spotlight. Sheli McCoy, as Sabre, stands out for her CrossFit background and Scottish identity. Unlike many Gladiators who come from track-and-field or gymnastics, McCoy’s strength-sport pedigree gives her a distinctive edge in power-based events.
Her performance at the December 2025 event in Glasgow highlights the growing reach of the show and local fandom. Dundee, a city not traditionally associated with national television productions, has embraced her as a local hero. The high volume of searches for “Maimie McCoy” suggests that name confusion remains a significant driver of traffic, and addressing it improves content clarity for searchers.
“The 37-year-old, who is known for portraying Sabre in the hit BBC show, was at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday.” – The Courier
“In today’s episode we talk to UK CrossFit inspiration Sheli McCoy. This has to be one of our most insightful and epic podcasts to date.” – My Time Capsule
“Sheli McCoy is a CrossFit athlete, BWL Olympic weightlifter and BBC Gladiator (Sabre).” – GladiatorsTV
What’s Next for Sheli McCoy?
Sheli McCoy is expected to continue appearing as Sabre on BBC Gladiators. For a look at other athletes who have built careers from televised sports, see Bradley Wiggins – Career, Net Worth and 2026 Update.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sheli McCoy’s net worth?
Not publicly disclosed. Earnings from Gladiators and sponsorships are not public.
Is Sheli McCoy on Twitter?
Her primary platform is Instagram (@sheli_mccoyofficial).
Did Sheli McCoy compete at the CrossFit Games?
Not confirmed in available sources.
What does the name Sabre mean?
Sabre is her Gladiator alias, chosen for its associations with sharpness and speed.
Is Sheli McCoy related to Maimie McCoy?
No. Sheli McCoy is an athlete; Maimie McCoy is an actress. The exact origin of the confusion between the two surnames is not documented, but the similarity is coincidental.
Does Sheli McCoy run her own gym?
Yes, she owns and operates a gym in Dundee, where she also works as a personal trainer.
What is the real name of the Gladiator Sabre?
Sheli Jane McCoy. She uses her full name publicly.
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Jonathan Crawford is Editor-in-Chief at BritView.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, standards and publication decisions.