MANILA, Philippines — Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao will captain Team Philippines in “Physical: Asia,” the newest installment of Netflix’s hit competition series set to premiere worldwide in October.
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in history, leads Team Philippines in ‘Physical: Asia.’ PHOTOS FROM NETFLIX
Pacquiao, the only eight-division world champion in boxing history, headlines the Philippines’ six-person squad in the franchise’s first nation-vs.-nation showdown. He will be joined by Filipino American national sambo athlete Mark Mugen, strongman Ray Jefferson Querubin, national rugby player Justin Coveney, national hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown, and crossfit athlete Lara Liwanag.
The upcoming series pits teams from eight countries — Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines — in high-stakes physical challenges blending modern sports with traditional disciplines such as Korean ssireum, Mongolian wrestling, Turkish oil wrestling, and Muay Thai.
Team Philippines composed of (from left) Mark Mugen, Lara Liwanag, Ray Jefferson Querubin, Pacquiao, Justin Coveney and Robyn Lauren Brown
Each team is anchored by a national star athlete. Australia is led by former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, Korea by UFC pioneer Dong-hyun “Stun Gun” Kim, and Thailand by Muay Thai world champion Superbon. Japan, Mongolia, Türkiye, and Indonesia are represented by Yushin Okami, Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, Recep Kara, and Igedz “Executioner,” respectively.
The show shifts from individual survival — the format of its original Korean series “Physical: 100” — to a test of teamwork and national pride.
Producer Jang Ho-gi said in a statement, “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.”
“Physical: Asia” follows acclaimed spin-offs in the United States and Italy. The international competition will stream exclusively on Netflix this October.
