Woman, 99, achieves dream of having knives thrown at her in circus

May 15, 2023

A 99-year-old British woman finally had a daring dream come true — getting knives thrown at her during a circus performance..

Annie Duplock entered the ring at the end of Zippo Circus’ finale and stood against a board as blades were lobbed her way by a professional knife thrower.

Duplock worked for Zippo Circus three decades ago, hanging up posters as part of the circus’s advance publicity crew, the PA News Agency reported Saturday

She approached her former boss, Martin Burton, whose circus was performing at Hearsall Common in Coventry, about taking part in the performance to fulfill her lifelong dream before she hits her centenary.

Duplock, who is from Sharnford in Leicestershire, was met by uproarious cheers after she was introduced by Burton.

“Annie worked for me 30 years ago, putting up posters,” Burton said. “Annie was 70 years old then and she is 100 years old this August.”

knife thrower — Duplock, who will be turning 100 this summer, worked for Zippo Circus 30 years ago.

pictured is Annie Duplock as professional circus performer hurls knives at her — Annie Duplock entered the ring at the end of Zippo Circus’ finale and stood against a board as blades were lobbed her way by a professional knife thrower.

Pictured is Duplock being introduced at a circus performance — Duplock, who will be turning 100 this summer, worked for Zippo Circus 30 years ago.

The circus founder told the audience Duplock attended the show the previous night and approached him about joining the knife-thrower’s act for her 100th birthday.