World-Class Athletes Compete in Thrilling Global Cultural Competitions in Discovery Channel's LAST ONE STANDING

World-Class Athletes Compete in Thrilling Global Cultural Competitions in Discovery Channel's LAST ONE STANDING

-- Series Launches in October --

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- In the thrilling new Discovery Channel series LAST ONE STANDING, six American and British athletes are immersed in the most remote tribes in the world, where they live alongside and train with indigenous tribesmen as they prepare to represent their host tribe in raw and intense competition. From death-defying Zulu stick fighting in South Africa to an arduous foot race in the Mexican mountains -- wearing only handmade sandals -- these men push their physical and mental limits to see who really is the last warrior standing. This new 12-part series premieres Thursday, October 4, 2007 at 9 PM ET/PT.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070807/NETU141 )

The diverse group of athletes are at the top of their game -- there is a BMX rider, a strongman competitor, an Oxford University sportsman, a hiker and endurance athlete, a kickboxer and a British all-rounder and fitness professional. Together they compete in an array of tribal games and rite of passage ceremonies, where competition is frequently a metaphor for war. Completely immersed in a tribal culture, the adventurers live among the village warriors to train and prepare for the battle that lies ahead -- no concessions are made.

Will the sprinter be able to keep up in the long-distance running competitions held by the remote Tarahumara Indians across punishing terrain in northern Mexico? Will the Florida BMX'er (who had never before left the United States) stand a chance against the fierce Kalapalo wrestlers in Brazil? Will any of the six make a showing endurance canoeing in Papua, New Guinea?

LAST ONE STANDING gives a view into parts of the world removed from civilization. The competitors travel to Kalapalo, Brazil (wrestling); Zulu, South Africa (stick fighting); Tarahumara, Mexico (endurance running); Mongolia (wrestling); Trobriand Islands (tribal cricket); Sumi, Nagaland (Akikiti kickboxing); Senegal (wrestling); Senegal (wrestling); Brazil (Kraha log racing); Peru (glacial challenge); Java (martial arts); and Vanatu (canoe racing).

   Competitors are:   Rajko, 29 -- British All-Rounder and Ex-World Record Holder   Jason, 21 -- Florida State BMX Champion, 2006   Richard, 21 -- Oxford University Sportsman -- Cricket, Rugby and Croquet   Brad, 28 -- American Pro Lightweight Strongman   Mark, 26 -- British Salsa Dancer and Kickboxer   Corey, 22 -- Hiker and Endurance Athlete   

The six athletes are from dramatically different regions and cultures themselves and, while forced to compete against each other, they also formed an unlikely brotherhood. For most of them, the journey was spiritual and emotional as well as a competition. As Corey from Alaska observes, "We came into this as a competition -- we put on our game faces during the matches. But as soon as we're done with that, we're family." As well, the competitors formed strong bonds with their host tribal families. Brad from Oklahoma remarks of the Mongolian villagers, "They took us in like family and treated us like their adopted sons."

Not only were the athletes expected to compete in a sport they only just learned, but they were also faced with language barriers, health issues and culture shock. "The toughest part for me was the lack of proper nutrition," claimed Strongman Brad. "I couldn't get enough fuel and energy to compete at a peak level." And culture shock set in during the Brazilian rite of passage in which piranha teeth were scraped on the athletes' legs and the open wounds were rubbed with salt and chillies. "It was searingly painful," recalls Richard. "The scraping was bad enough, but the chillies brought a new level of pain. However, it made me feel integrated and was a great boost before the competition."

LAST ONE STANDING is a joint production with the BBC. BBC executive producer is Gary Hunter. Mary Donahue is executive producer for Discovery Channel.

About Discovery Communications

Discovery Communications is the number-one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Through TV and digital media, Discovery's 100-plus worldwide networks include Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, The Science Channel, Discovery Health and Discovery HD Theater. Discovery Communications is owned by Discovery Holding Co. (NASDAQ:DISCA) (NASDAQ:DISCB) , Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, Discovery's founder and chairman. For more information please visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com/.

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Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070807/NETU141
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Source: Discovery Channel

CONTACT: Amy Hagovsky, +1-240-662-2931, Amy_Hagovsky@Discovery.com, or
Denise Arrigali, +1-678-580-1245, DArrigali@comcast.net, both of Discovery
Channel

Web site: http://www.discoverycommunications.com/

Note to Editors: To download photos go to http://www.press.discovery.com. Login or register and click on Discovery Channel; LAST ONE STANDING Review copies available upon request.

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Profile: International Entertainment