Netflix is set to release Physical: Asia this October, a team-based competition featuring 48 athletes from eight nations. Team Philippines enters the series with six representatives, led by boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
While Pacquiao is the most recognizable name on the roster, professional mixed martial artist Mark “Mugen” Striegl is emerging as the squad’s most complete athlete.
Striegl has built a career competing internationally in mixed martial arts, including a stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has also represented the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games, where he won a gold medal in sambo in 2019.
Known for his versatility, Striegl’s background spans wrestling, grappling, and striking disciplines, making him well-rounded for the show’s physically demanding format. His track record in endurance, strength, and combat sports adds depth to Team Philippines beyond Pacquiao’s star power.
Joining Pacquiao and Striegl are four other athletes with diverse sporting expertise: strongman Ray Jefferson Querubin, national team rugby player Justin Coveney, national team hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown, and CrossFit athlete Lara Liwanag.
Together, the squad reflects a mix of power, speed, endurance, and technical skill designed to compete across a variety of disciplines.
The competition will feature national squads from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Mongolia, Turkey, Indonesia, and Australia. Each country will be represented by its own standout athletes, with the format testing stamina, raw strength, strategy, and teamwork.
Physical: Asia is a spin-off of the South Korean reality series Physical: 100, which became a global hit for its grueling contests of strength and endurance. Unlike the original format, which focused on individual survival, the new edition emphasizes team performance.
National squads will advance through rounds of challenges until one country emerges as the overall winner.
