"Not here to mess around": Physical: Asia's Recep Kara opens up about his drive and determination to win

Physical: Asia premiered on October 28, 2025, on Netflix. The show featured eight teams from eight different countries. Initially, each team had 6 contestants playing for their nation.

After all the teams were introduced, the captains of each of the teams were invited to share a few words upcoming challenges. This included:

• Team Korea: Kim Dong-hyun.
• Team Japan: Yushin Okami,
• Team Thailand: Superbon,
• Team Mongolia: Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan,
• Team Turkey: Recep Kara,
• Team Indonesia: Marcus Fernaldi Gideon,
• Team Australia: Robert Whittaker,
• Team Philippines: Manny Pacquiao.

They shared the determination and strength, and how they were going to win the competition on Physical: Asia.

One of them was Recep Kara, the captain of Team Turkey. He talked about strength and noted:

"We can here all the way from Turkiye, on an eleven-hour flight. We're not here to mess around. For Turkiye! With strength, we fight!"

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Physical: Asia Episode 1: Team Captains open up about their team's determination towards winning

After inviting all 8 teams to the competition, each team's captains shared their strength and determination. Team South Korea's captain, Kim Dong-hyun, was the first one. He talked about true strength.

"I believe that true strength comes from within, and the resolve of our people is the strongest in the world. Through internal strength, Korea shall win."

The next country on Physical: Asia was Japan. Their captain, Yushin Okami, shared that Japan was known as the nation of warriors, fighters, and great athletes. The reason behind their participation was to prove the strength of their people.

The next one was Captain from Turkey, Recep Kara. He pointed out that it took them eleven hours to reach there, and they were not there to mess around. His teammates cheered and clapped for the strong words.

Superbon, a Muay Thai fighter from Thailand, was next.

"The fighting spirit of Muay Thai comes from the heart of Thailand and the hearts of Thai people. It has strengthened us both in body and soul, and it will guide us to victory," shared Superbon.

The next team on Physical: Asia was Team Mongolia. Their captain, Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan, stated that they were the descendants of Genghis Khan.

"We are Mongolians, descendants of Genghis Khan. As a warrior nation, we shall fight for our glory!

Team Australia's Robert Whittaker talked about the reason why they were there. It was to win at all costs. He also said that they would run through anyone who was to get in his team's way.

Physical: Asia's Marcus Fernaldi Gideon from Team Indonesia noted that they had one purpose. It was to win. Manny Pacquiao from Philippines shared:

"Filipino is a champion blood, so...we will make sure that we...we get the crown."

Listening to him, his teammates cheered. Team Australia reacted that the legend had spoken.

Physical: Asia participants confessed how they felt before the first quest was revealed. One of them noted that it would be an all-out war against all the other Asian countries. A competitor from Turkiye noted that she wanted to be more than formidable. Team Australia's Robert Whittaker confessed that he saw his team as a very strong contender.

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Fans can stream Physical: Asia episodes on Netflix.