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| (Image Source: Netflix) |
Netflix recently revealed the 48 contestants of Physical: Asia — the first-ever nation-vs-nation showdown of the Physical:100 franchise. Eight countries — Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines — will collide in a high-stakes competition of strength, strategy, and teamwork for nothing less than national pride. Each six-person squad is anchored by a national superstar who embodies the competitive spirit of their homeland.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) trailblazer Dong-hyun "Stun Gun" Kim leads a powerhouse team representing Korea comprising of Olympic skeleton racer Yun Sung-bin, wrestler Jang Eun-sil, CrossFit athlete Choi Seung-yeon, and Ssireum (traditional Korean wrestling) athlete Kim Min-jae. Leading Team Philippines is professional boxer and former Philippine Senator Manny Pacquiao, who made headlines in February when he was announced as part of the line-up. The boxing icon, who recently made his return to the ring at 46 years old, is known for his relentless stamina and mental toughness. Team Philippines will comprise of MMA fighter Mark Mugen, strongman and powerlifter Ray Jefferson Querubin, rugby player Justin Coveney, Olympic hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown, and CrossFit athlete Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag. Team Japan is led by Yushin Okami, one of Asia’s most decorated MMA fighters, and features a power-packed crew comprising fellow MMA fighter Kana Wantanabe, former national team baseball player Yoshio Itoi, Olympic swimmer Katsumi Nakamura, Olympic judoka Soichi Hashimoto and national team wrestler Nonoka Ozaki who is a two-time World Championship gold medalist and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist. Those into Muay Thai will know of world champion Superbon Singha Mawynn who has traded his gloves for the challenges of Physical: Asia leading Team Thailand comprising of Thai-Swedish actor and former volleyball player James Rusameekae, national team rugby player Sunny Kerdkao Wechokittikorn, national team wrestler Anucha Yospanya, Muay Thai coach Ploy Nuannaree Olsen, and CrossFit athlete Jar Uracha Teerawanitsan.
Traditional wrestling champion Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan leads Team Mongolia as its biggest star, joined by national basketball player Dulguun Enkhbat, MMA fighter Enkh-orgil Baatarkhuu, national volleyball ace Khandsuren Gantogtokh, and national judoka Adiyasuren Amarsaikhan with contortionist and balancing artist Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochirn adding a unique twist to the lineup. Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker is ready to lead Team Australia towards victory alongside strongman Eddie Williams, parkour whizz Dom Tomato, Hyrox athlete Katelin Van Zyl, fitness coach Alexandra Milne, and former rugby player Eloni Vunakece. Four-time oil wrestling champion Recep Kara anchors Team Turkiye which comprises national team sailor Anil Berk Baki, national karate athlete Ali Sofuoglu, national team rower Ogeday Girisken, national team wrestler Yasemin Adar Yigit, and former national team track athlete Nefise Karatay. Lastly, bodybuilding champion and Mr. Indonesia 2018 Igedz ‘Executioner’, whose real name is Igede Dharma Susila, helms Team Indonesia with hybrid athlete Jeremiah Lakhwani, former national team swimmer Glenn Victor, former national team badminton player Marcus Gideon, Jiu Jitsu athlete Fina Phillipe and former basketball player Maria Selena as his teammates.
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| (Image Source: Netflix) |
The series blends elite athleticism with cultural tradition, spotlighting disciplines from combat sports and ball games to track and field — alongside heritage events like Korean ssireum, Mongolian wrestling, Turkish oil wrestling, and Muay Thai. Physical: Asia is more than a clash of athletes; it’s a showcase of heritage, pride, and physical mastery on an unprecedented global stage. This new chapter transforms the fight for individual survival into a national team showdown. Producer Jang Ho-gi noted, “At its heart, the Physical series is about raw competition that transcends disciplines and generations. By bringing national pride into the equation, the battles will be more intense, more emotional, and more unforgettable than ever.” Uniting world-class athletes, cultural icons, and living legends, Physical: Asia marks the franchise’s first true battle for national pride. The eight-nation spectacle premieres this coming October 2025, streaming only on Netflix to audiences worldwide. Aside from Physical: Asia, the globally popular fitness survival reality show will be launching its US and European spin-offs. The Italian edition has been announced featuring 100 contestants including some well-known athletes and public figures such as rugby player Mirco Bergamasco, Olympic diver Tania Cagnotto, actress Elisabetta Canalis, and retired gymnast Jury Chechi. Meanwhile, Netflix kicked off casting for the US spin-off back in July 2025, calling for 100 new American competitors ready to test their strength, endurance, and determination.
