Philippines brings out the big guns as Netflix readies the newest season of its hit reality fitness franchise, Physical.
This time, the competition expands into a continental showdown titled Physical: Asia, and Team Philippines is coming in strong.
Front and center is none other than Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao—boxing legend, former senator, and the only eight-division world champion in history.
Pacquiao will not be stepping into a boxing ring this time, but he will be leading the country’s stacked lineup of athletes.
Joining him are Mark “Mugen” Striegl, a Fil-Am sambo athlete who is also a familiar face in MMA circles; Ray Jefferson Querubin, a Filipino strongman; national rugby team mainstay Justin Coveney; hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown, who has competed for the Philippine team; and Lara Liwanag, a crossfit standout.
Read: Manny Pacquiao's ring comeback against Mario Barrios ends in draw
Showdown of Physical: Asia Teams
According to Netflix, each competing country is fronted by a “national superstar who embodies the competitive spirit of their homeland.”
Just like the Philippines, other teams aren’t pulling any punches.
Korea
First South Korean UFC fighter Dong-hyun “Stun Gun” Kim leads a squad that includes Olympic skeleton racing gold medalist Yun Sung-bin and Amotti, the Season 2 champion of Physical: 100.
Japan
Team leader: MMA veteran Yushin Okami.
Australia
Team leader: Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker.
Thailand
Team leader: Muay Thai world champion Superbon.
Mongolia
Team leader: Traditional wrestling star Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan.
Turkiye
Team leader: Four-time oil wrestling champ Recep Kara.
Indonesia
Team leader: Fitness powerhouse Igedz “Executioner.”
From Physical: 100 to Physical: Asia
Pacquiao’s involvement in the project was first teased back in February. The boxing icon even flew to South Korea to film the series.
For context, the original Physical: 100—a South Korean reality hit—pitted 100 contestants against each other in grueling tests of strength, endurance, and mental grit, with only one left standing.
This new edition raises the stakes: instead of individuals, it’s national teams battling it out for glory.
With elite athletes representing their countries, the competition promises to be a spectacle of strength and pride.
Fans have their calendars marked as Physical: Asia premieres this October on Netflix.
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