style="font-size: larger;" | Michael Willson

Gladiator name:	Cobra
Hometown:	Dartford, England
Height:	1.83 m (6 ft)
Weight:	93 kg Kilogram The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...  (14 st 9 lb Pound (mass) The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement... )
Theme Tune:	Calling All The Heroes - It Bites

Michael Willson (born October 29, 1963) is a former professional sportsman best known for his role as Cobra on the British TV show Gladiators from 1992-2000.

Career

Willson began as an amateur boxer, kick boxer, bodybuilder and martial arts expert. He began training to become fitter, gain muscle and definition. Through his training Willson put on 2 stones of muscle he entered his first body building competition. He was one of the original Gladiators from season one. In the Gladiators, Cobra would not take himself too seriously, he would pull faces at the judges and the audience, wear wigs and do monkey impressions. He was a firm favourite throughout the UK. Cobra won bodybuilding titles Mr South London and Mr Kent, he has also won a half-marathon.

Cobra is known for his high-kicks and splits upon entering the Gladiator arena at the start of each episode. He is also known as the joker of the Gladiators team. His practical jokes lighten the mood between the shows as filming can be very stressful.

Although he is the joker in the pack he is deadly serious when it comes to the events, as soon as he hears the call of 'Gladiators Ready' he is ready for action. Although he is one of the smallest male Gladiators he is very quick and agile can still prove himself against the best on the Duel podium, in which he has never been knocked off by a contender. Although it was evident he was a serious fighter, he always respected the contenders. He was also a master of the 'Hang Tough' rings along with 'Jet' for the females. He quickly became one of the favourite Gladitors of all time along with heroes like Shadow, Wolf, Hunter, Lightning and of course, Jet.

Now living in the West Midlands, he counts watercolours amongst his hobbies. Willson spends time visiting schools and youth clubs up and down the UK, promoting that keeping fit can be fun. Cobra was also part of the special UK international team and headed off to compete against South Africa in the Springbok Challenge 2000. He more recently visited the University of Dundee

University of Dundee

The University of Dundee is a university based in the city and Royal burgh of Dundee on eastern coast of the central Lowlands of Scotland and with a small number of institutions elsewhere....

union to take part in some games with the students.