The premise of Physical: Asia is beautifully straightforward. The show, a first spin-off of the hit South Korean competition series, Physical: 100, pits 48 athletes against each other, testing their raw strength and endurance to take home the prize of 1 billion Korean won (roughly P41,130,300.90 as of the time of writing).
The athletes are divided into teams based on their home countries: the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Turkey, Mongolia, and Australia. They will be tasked with successfully completing several challenges and obstacle courses, including sinking ships and fortress-style battles.
“We built the set across an area the size of five soccer fields, using 1,200 tonnes of sand and 40 tonnes of steel,” showrunner Jang Ho-gi told The National. “This season delivers stories, quests, and physical battles unlike anything audiences have seen.”
The first four episodes of Physical: Asia are currently streaming on Netflix. The remaining eight episodes will be released weekly.
Team Philippines
In the Philippines, Physical: Asia had been generating buzz earlier this year after ex-boxer-turned-ex-senator-turned-boxer-again Manny Pacquiao signed on to the show. “Excited ako dito sa Physical: Asia kasi I know ‘yong challenge dito, napakahigpit at very competitive talaga,” Pacquiao told ABS-CBN.
Pacquiao, who will be acting as the team lead for the Philippines, is joined by mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Mark “Mugen” Striegl, rugby player Justin Coveney, strongman Ray Jefferson Querubin, Olympic athlete Robyn Lauren Brown, and CrossFit athlete Lara Liwanag.
Team South Korea
Representing South Korea is UFC welterweight fighter Dong-hyun “Stun Gun” Kim, who competed in Physical: 100 Season 2. He’s teaming up with Season 2 winner Amotti and Season 1 standout wrestler Jang Eun-sil, along with Olympic gold medallist and skeleton racer Yun Sung-bin, CrossFit athlete Choi Seung-yeon, and wrestling champion Kim Min-jae.
Team Japan
MMA fighter Yushin Okami leads Team Japan, which is comprised of swimmer Katsumi Nakamura, baseball player Yoshio “Superhuman” Itoi, judo fighter Soichi Hashimoto, wrestler Nonoka Ozaki, and MMA fighter Kana Watanabe.
Team Thailand
Acting as team leader is Muay Thai champion Suppachai “Superbon” Muensang, who once held the title of best pound-for-pound kickboxer in the world. Alongside the kickboxer are rugby player Sunny Kerdkao Wechokittikorn, boxer James Rusameekae, CrossFit athlete Jar Uracha Teerawanitsan, wrestler Anucha Yospanya, and bodybuilder Ploy Nuannaree Olsen.
Team Indonesia
Igede “Executioner” Dharma Susila, a bodybuilding champion and Mr. Indonesia 2018, leads Team Indonesia. Joining him are swimmer Glenn Victor Sutanto, badminton player Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, jiu-jitsu fighter Fina Phillipe, fighter Jeremiah Lakhwani, and basketball player Maria Selena.
Team Turkey
Representing Team Turkey is four-time oil wrestling champion Recep Kara as leader, joined by karate fighter Ali Sofuoğlu, freestyle wrestler Yasemin Adar Yigit, sailor Anil Berk Baki, rower Ogeday Girişken, and athlete Nefise Karatay.
Team Mongolia
Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, an acclaimed wrestling champion, leads Team Mongolia. He competes alongside MMA fighter Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, basketball player Dulguun Enkhbat, volleyball player Khandsuren Gantogtokh, judo fighter Adiyasuren Amarsaikhan, and contortionist Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochirn.
Team Australia
Team Australia is led by UFC middleweight champion Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker. He is joined by fitness coach Alexandra Milne, strongman Eddie Williams, rugby player Eloni Vunakece, parkour athlete Dom Tomato, and Hyrox athlete Katelin Van Zyl.
