The Pillar Vaulting challenge in Quest 3 of Physical: Asia set the stage for an intense battle between Team Australia, Team Korea, and Team Philippines. As the first of four tasks in the group stage, the event saw two athletes from each nation race through a demanding relay, requiring speed, precision, and endurance. In a tightly contested match, Team Australia emerged victorious, securing crucial points on the leaderboard.
The Pillar Vaulting Challenge Explained
In this high-energy event, two contestants from each team were required to participate. Each athlete had to complete ten laps for a team total of twenty laps. The task involved running a course, hurdling over a pillar on each lap, and pressing a bell on the wall to signal the completion of a lap before the next runner could begin. The first team to have both players finish their laps and grab their flag would win.
The challenge was the opening game in Quest 3 for Group A, which consists of Team Korea, Team Australia, and Team Philippines. The results would set the tone for the remaining contests, with points awarded as follows: three points for first place, two for second, and one for third.
The Athletes in the Arena
Each team selected two members to represent them in this physically demanding relay.
Team Korea sent their team captain, Kim Dong-hyun, and the Olympic gold medalist Yun Sung-Bin. Their team was confident that a win in this challenge would secure their safety in the competition.
Team Australia was represented by Dom Tomato, a professional parkour athlete, and Katelun van Zyl, a CrossFit and Hyrox athlete. Before the event, Dom Tomato expressed his confidence, stating:
โAs soon as they told us what the games were, I knew that I was doing the first challenge. It’s jumping over blocks, which is 100% what I train.โ
Team Philippines chose Robyn Lauren Brown, a national team member for the 400-meter hurdles, and Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag, a CrossFitter. Robyn believed her hurdling background made her a perfect fit for the task, while Lara highlighted her stamina and endurance as key strengths for the team.
How the Intense Showdown Unfolded
The challenge began with the sound of a whistle, and the first participants from each team sprang into action. The initial laps saw the competitors from Korea, Australia, and the Philippines racing neck and neck. Team Australia’s Katelun van Zyl faced an early setback when she had to go back and re-jump a pillar after skipping a move, costing her precious seconds.
Team Philippines’ Lara Lorraine Deang Liwanag also encountered difficulties. She later shared that her height was a significant factor, requiring extra effort with each jump over the pillar.
After the first contestants completed their ten laps, the second wave of athletes took over. This is where Team Australia’s Dom Tomato truly shined. His parkour skills allowed him to move with remarkable efficiency and speed, quickly making up for the early minor delays.
โSmooth is fast, and fast is smooth. Parkour is about finding the most efficient path. So I knew if I did Kon, step, step, lazy, around, Kong, step, step, lazy, bell, and just hit that rhythm, then it was gonna be faster than any other athletes there,โ Dom confessed.
Team Korea and Team Philippines’ Robyn Brown also put up a strong fight, but Dom Tomato’s relentless pace proved unbeatable. He was the first to finish his ten laps, securing the win for Team Australia by grabbing the flag. Team Korea followed closely behind to secure second place.
The Outcome and Current Standings
With this victory, Team Australia earned 3 points on the Group A leaderboard. Team Korea took 2 points for second place, and Team Philippines received 1 point for third.
This result contributed to the overall standings after the first three challenges in Quest 3. Following the Pillar Vaulting, Stone Totem Endurance, and Hanging Endurance events, the point totals for Group A are:
- Australia: 8 points
- Korea: 5 points
- Philippines: 5 points
The final challenge for Group A, the Sack Toss, will determine the group’s ranking before the next elimination round.
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