Cover When the pressure was highest, these ‘Physical: Asia’ athletes delivered unforgettable displays of strength, heart and resilience (Photo: Netflix)
When the pressure was highest, these ‘Physical: Asia’ athletes delivered unforgettable displays of strength, heart and resilience (Photo: Netflix)
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The fiercest athletes of ‘Physical: Asia’ pushed through exhaustion, fear and doubt, creating unforgettable moments that defined the competition
Netflix’s Physical: Asia arrived with the full force of its celebrity captains—boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, UFC champion Robert Whittaker, kickboxing star Superbon and more—leading eight Asia-Pacific nations into battle. But as the Olympic-style competition unfolded, it wasn’t just the big names who made their mark. Lesser-known contenders rose under pressure, delivering unforgettable feats of endurance, strategy and sheer perseverance. As the series enters its final stretch, with new episodes just released, relive the moments that defined the breakout athletes of Physical: Asia, each revealing what it truly means to be an MVP.
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Yun Sung-Bin’s sand dune dominance
Above The Olympic gold medallist from South Korea casually carried a grown man off the battlefield (Photo: @top.physical / Instagram)
The Olympic gold medallist from South Korea casually carried a grown man off the battlefield (Photo: @top.physical / Instagram)
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South Korea’s “Iron Man” Yun Sung-Bin, an Olympic skeleton champion and Physical 100 legend, set the tone early with a jaw-dropping display of raw power. During the chaotic Territory Conquest challenge on a massive sand dune, Yun isolated Japanese swimmer Katsumi Nakamura, hoisted him completely off his feet and simply carried him away from the objective. This act of dominance—picking up an elite male athlete as if he weighed nothing—became one of the season’s most memorable moments and a clear reminder of why competitors feared him.
James Rusameekae Fagerlund’s diva disguise
Above The Thai athlete carried 50 kg crates and defeated Manny Pacquiao (Photo: @rusameekae / Instagram)
The Thai athlete carried 50 kg crates and defeated Manny Pacquiao (Photo: @rusameekae / Instagram)
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Thailand’s James Rusameekae Fagerlund made the season’s most memorable entrance: wearing a robe and heels while competitors questioned his athleticism. The actor and former volleyball pro leaned into his persona with hilarious one-liners (“If Korea has Blackpink’s Jisoo, we have Blackpink’s Lisa”) and infectious charisma. Then he showed everyone what he was truly made of.
During the brutal Shipwreck Challenge, James singlehandedly carried 50-kg crates while stronger athletes gassed out. Later, he partnered with Superbon to defeat the legendary duo of Manny Pacquiao and strongman Ray Querubin in a two-versus-two Death Match—and then sashayed away. The impressive showing prompted Dom Di Tomasso from the Australian contingent to remark, “People would assume that his flamboyant nature means he couldn’t turn it on, but he delivered…Having a personality doesn’t mean you still can’t be tough and a serious athlete.”
Mark Mugen’s two-hour hang
Above The Philippine team’s MMA fighter hung for two hours and 43 minutes, saving his team from possible elimination (Photo: @markmugen / Instagram)
The Philippine team’s MMA fighter hung for two hours and 43 minutes, saving his team from possible elimination (Photo: @markmugen / Instagram)
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Mark “Mugen” Striegl’s hanging endurance challenge was a breakout moment in Physical: Asia. The 37-year-old MMA fighter and Sambo gold medallist suspended himself in the air for an astonishing two hours and 43 minutes, saving Team Philippines from possible elimination. Despite the excruciating pain, Mugen maintained a poker face so his teammates wouldn’t worry. His extraordinary display of mental fortitude and physical resilience is a testament to the quiet grit that defined the spirit of the Filipino team.
Fina Phillippe’s unforgettable fight
Above The Indonesian jiu-jitsu athlete held her own against two male opponents (Photo: @lafinaa / Instagram)
The Indonesian jiu-jitsu athlete held her own against two male opponents (Photo: @lafinaa / Instagram)
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Indonesia's Fina Phillippe, a presenter and Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete, entered the Death Match elimination with fire in her eyes. Incensed after seeing teammate Glenn Victor injured in a previous round, she channelled that anger into one of the season’s gutsiest performances. Paired with male bodybuilder teammate Igedz against two elite male Japanese athletes—baseball player Yoshio Itoi and swimmer Katsumi Nakamura—Fina faced an impossible physical mismatch. Yet her technical jiu-jitsu skills and raw determination held off their opponents. Though Team Indonesia ultimately lost, Fina’s fighting spirit earned her recognition and respect.
Nonoka Ozaki’s wrestling dominance
Above The 22-year-old Olympic medallist from Japan defeated a CrossFit champion in direct combat (Photo: @nonoka_ozaki / Instagram)
The 22-year-old Olympic medallist from Japan defeated a CrossFit champion in direct combat (Photo: @nonoka_ozaki / Instagram)
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Japan’s Nonoka Ozaki, a two-time world champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medallist in freestyle wrestling, may appear as a respectful sweetheart off the mat, but her breakout moment revealed the ferocious competitor within. During the Territory Conquest challenge, the battle eventually narrowed to a direct match between Ozaki and Korea's CrossFit athlete Choi Seung-yeon on the platform. In a display of wrestling technique and strength, the 22-year-old Ozaki knocked Choi off the platform first, demonstrating why her championship pedigree translates to Physical: Asia's challenges.
Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochir’s air glide
Above The Cirque du Soleil acrobat’s superhuman zip line skills stunned competitors (Photo: @@ochir_ub / Instagram)
The Cirque du Soleil acrobat’s superhuman zip line skills stunned competitors (Photo: @@ochir_ub / Instagram)
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Mongolia’s Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochir, a Cirque du Soleil acrobat, was smaller than many competitors—who, perhaps understandably, underestimated his physical abilities. But during the Shipwreck Transportation Challenge, while larger athletes gassed out early, the circus artist shone. His acrobatic background gave him a superhuman advantage on the zip line section, where he demonstrated incredible agility and stamina, gliding through the air as he transported 50-kg crates with ease.
Later, he showed off his aerial abilities once again in a hanging endurance task that had competitors dangling off ropes and rings—a challenge that was so perfectly suited to him that his competitors shamelessly copied his technique.
Nefise Karatay’s buzzer-beater slide
Above The ‘Survivor’ winner used speed and perfect timing to gain victory (Photo: @nefiseekaratayy / Instagram)
The ‘Survivor’ winner used speed and perfect timing to gain victory (Photo: @nefiseekaratayy / Instagram)
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Türkiye’s Nefise Karatay, a former national hurdles champion and two-time Survivor Türkiye competitor, delivered one of the show’s most unforgettable highlights. During the chaotic Territory Conquest challenge, while athletes battled in the centre mound, the 25-year-old was locked in a contest in the periphery. In the final seconds, she executed a perfect superstar slide into the ring, using her elite track speed and instincts to secure victory against Australia at the buzzer. It was pure brilliance—proof that the perfect physique means nothing without presence of mind.
Dom Tomato’s parkour precision
In the Pillar Vaulting challenge, professional parkour athlete Dom “Tomato” Di Tommaso immediately recognised his advantage: “It’s jumping over blocks, which is 100 per cent what I train”. Dom employed technical efficiency as he counted out a sequence for the challenge—kong, step, step, lazy, around—outpacing his competitors. As Dom grabbed the flag, his Australian teammates’ ecstatic “Tomato! Tomato! Tomato!” chant became the soundtrack of the challenge winner.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
