Netflix’s Physical: Asia delivered its most intense episodes yet on November 4, as Thailand and Indonesia became the first nations eliminated from the continental competition. The signature Ball Stealing Death Match and the grueling Team Representative Match pushed 48 elite athletes to their absolute limits in a battle for national pride.
Table of Contents
Physical Episodes 5-6 Quick Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 4, 2025 |
| Episodes | 5-6 of 12 |
| Platform | Netflix |
| Eliminated Nations | Thailand, Indonesia |
| Competing Countries | 8 nations (Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Türkiye, Indonesia, Australia, Philippines) |
| Next Release | Episodes 7-10 on November 11 |
| Notable Moment | Manny Pacquiao’s departure |
Episode 5: The Ball Stealing Death Match
Philippines vs. Thailand – Five Brutal Rounds
The Philippines secured their survival through strategic victories against Thailand across five intense matchups:
Round 1: Philippines claimed early victory
Round 2: Ray Querubin and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao faced Thailand’s Muay Thai champion Superbon and James Rusameekae in a 2-on-2 clash. Thailand won this exchange, keeping hopes alive.
Round 3: Philippines rugby athlete Justin Coveney defeated Thai wrestler Anucha Yospanya, putting the Philippines back in control.
Round 4: The all-female showdown proved decisive. Filipino crossfitter Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag and track athlete Robyn Lauren Brown overpowered Thailand’s bodybuilder Ploy Nuannaree Olsen and crossfitter Jar Uracha Teerawanitsan. This victory sealed Thailand’s elimination.
Japan vs. Indonesia – Dominant Sweep
Japan delivered a commanding performance that sent Indonesia home:
Round 1: Judoka Soichi Hashimoto defeated Indonesian swimmer Glenn Victor Sutanto after a rematch.
Round 2: Japan’s baseball player Yoshio Itoi and swimmer Katsumi Nakamura overcame Indonesian jiujitsu fighter Fina Katsumi Nakamura and bodybuilder Igedz following another rematch.
Round 3: Japan’s MMA legend Yushin Okami defeated Indonesian boxer Jeremiah Lakhwani after two rematches, completing Japan’s sweep and eliminating Indonesia.
Major Roster Change
Following the Death Match, Manny Pacquiao departed the competition. The eight-division boxing champion’s exit shocked viewers, as his presence had been a major draw. CrossFit athlete Justin Hernandez joined the Philippine roster as his replacement, bringing fresh energy to the team.
Episode 6: Team Representative Match
The competition evolved into a four-event challenge testing diverse athletic capabilities. Six remaining nations were divided into groups:
Group A: Korea, Australia, Philippines
Group B: Japan, Türkiye, Mongolia
The Four Challenges Explained
| Event | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Sack Toss | Clear 4-meter hurdle with 14kg sack every 30 seconds | Instant elimination for failures |
| Hanging Endurance | Hold fabric strips as long as possible | Pure grip and mental fortitude |
| Stone Totem Endurance | Back-to-back pairs support 135kg stone totems | Team coordination crucial |
| Pillar Vaulting | Two runners complete 10 vault laps, finish with flag grab | Speed and technique |
Scoring System: 3 points (1st place), 2 points (2nd), 1 point (3rd)
Elimination Rule: Lowest-scoring team in each group exits without Death Match opportunity
Group A Results (Partial)
Event 1 – Sack Toss:
1st: Australia (Katelin van Zyl, Dom Tomato)
2nd: Korea (Kim Dong-hyun, Yun Sung-bin)
3rd: Philippines (Robyn Brown, Lara Liwanag)
Event 2 – Hanging Endurance:
1st: Australia (Eloni Vunakece, Robert Whittaker)
2nd: Korea (Kim Min-jae, Jang Eun-sil)
3rd: Philippines (Justin Coveney, Ray Querubin)
Event 3 – Hanging Endurance (Strict Ring Rules):
1st: Philippines (Mark Mugen)
2nd: Australia (Alexandra)
3rd: Korea (Choi Seung-yeon)
Event 4 – Final Sack Toss: Cliffhanger ending featuring Australia’s Eddie Williams, Korea’s Amotti, and Philippines’ Justin Hernandez.
What’s at Stake
Physical: Asia expands the beloved Physical: 100 format into an international showdown. UFC legends, Olympic champions, Muay Thai icons, ssireum stars, and elite specialists compete for more than prize money—they fight for national pride and continental supremacy.
The 12-episode series showcases humanity’s physical limits through colossal quests designed by the creators of South Korea’s hit competition show.
For more reality competition coverage and K-entertainment news, visit our K-drama and variety show section and Netflix originals coverage.
The Drama Continues
Episode 6’s cliffhanger leaves Group A’s fate uncertain, while Group B’s competition hasn’t been shown yet. With Japan, Türkiye, and Mongolia still to compete, and the final Sack Toss results pending, viewers must wait until November 11 for episodes 7-10 to discover which nations advance.
The tension builds as alliances form, athletes push beyond perceived limits, and national pride fuels every moment of this extraordinary competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Manny Pacquiao leave Physical: Asia after Episode 5?
The show hasn’t officially disclosed Manny Pacquiao’s reason for departing after the Death Match in Episode 5. His exit came following the Philippines’ successful elimination of Thailand. Given Pacquiao’s status as a boxing legend and politician with numerous commitments, scheduling conflicts or contractual obligations may have required his early departure. Justin Hernandez, a CrossFit athlete, replaced him on the Philippine roster to maintain the team’s competitive strength for subsequent challenges.
Q: How does the scoring system work in the Team Representative Match of Physical: Asia?
The Team Representative Match uses a point-based system across four events: first place earns 3 points, second place gets 2 points, and third place receives 1 point. Each nation in a three-team group competes in all four events, accumulating points. The team with the lowest total score in each group is eliminated without a Death Match opportunity. If teams tie in points, pillar-vaulting results serve as the tiebreaker. Every athlete must participate in at least one event, ensuring all team members contribute to their nation’s survival.
