Boxing legend and national icon Manny Pacquiao is set to lead Team Philippines in Physical: Asia, the newest installment of Netflix’s hit competition series premiering worldwide this October.
The high-stakes show will bring together teams from eight countries — Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines — each captained by a national sports star. Pacquiao joins an elite lineup of athletes including former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker for Australia, UFC pioneer Dong-hyun “Stun Gun” Kim for Korea, Muay Thai world champion Superbon for Thailand, Japanese MMA veteran Yushin Okami, Mongolian wrestling great Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, Turkish oil wrestling champion Recep Kara, and Indonesian fighter Igedz “Executioner.”
The competition
Unlike the original Physical: 100, which focused on individual survival, Physical: Asia shifts the spotlight to teamwork and national pride, pitting countries against one another in challenges that blend modern athletic tests with traditional combat sports such as Korean ssireum, Mongolian wrestling, Turkish oil wrestling, and Muay Thai.
Series producer Jang Ho-gi explained: “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.”
Following successful spin-offs in the United States and Italy, Physical: Asia marks a new chapter for the global franchise, with Pacquiao and Team Philippines carrying the hopes of a passionate sports nation when the series streams exclusively on Netflix this October.
Team Philippines
Not to be outdone, team Philippines is made of some elite physical talent. Alongside Pacquiao, there’s national team Sambo athlete Mark “Mugen” Striegl, CrossFit athlete Lara Lorraine Liwanag, national team hurdler Robyn Brown, national team rugby player Justin Coveney, and Strongman Ray Querubin.
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