Karenjeet Kaur Bains Joins V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27 Judging Panel

Karenjeet Kaur Bains, a prominent powerlifter and television figure recognized for her role as "Athena" on Gladiators, has been appointed as a judge for the V&A Innovate National Schools Challenge 2026–27. As a junior titleholder at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships and the first British Sikh woman to compete for her nation at European and World championships, Bains champions fitness among South Asian women. The challenge focuses on the themes of Simplify, Empower, and Nurture, inviting student groups from years 7, 8, and 9 in state schools across England to register. Bains highlights the significance of design in transforming concepts into actionable solutions, encouraging students to remain inquisitive, question the status quo, collaborate, experiment, and learn from setbacks.