AK Amputee to Battle ‘Gladiators’

John Siciliano, a former Paralympics athlete and a transfemoral amputee, will compete on the season premiere of NBC's American Gladiators, scheduled for Monday, May 12. A 37-year-old patient of Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Siciliano will challenge an able-bodied contender and muscle-bound 'Gladiators.'

Hanger practitioner Phil Conley, CP, accompanied Siciliano on the four-day shoot and was on hand to provide prosthetic adjustments and care. Siciliano used two sets of feet and two Endolite knees for the various challenges and events.

Siciliano is an actor and former Paralympic champion from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He lost his leg four inches above the knee 15 years ago when a drunk driver struck the car he was riding in. Siciliano went on to break the American record in the 200-meter race at the 1996 Paralympic trials in Atlanta, Georgia. During the finals of that race at the Paralympics Siciliano's prosthetic leg dislodged and fell offmid-stride. He went crashing down to the track, but he did not end the race there. Instead, Siciliano got up and hopped on one leg, with his prosthetic leg in his hand, across the finish line to thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

As an actor, Siciliano has played roles on television shows such as ER, Scrubs, Days of our Lives, Sleeper Cell, and NCIS.