A new group of Australian athletes is ready to test their strength and will on a global stage. The competitors for Team Australia in the new Netflix show Physical: Asia have been revealed, featuring a mix of UFC champions, elite strongmen, and world-class athletes from other disciplines. This team will represent the nation in a series of intense challenges against seven other countries.
The show, which premiered on October 28, is the international spin-off of the popular South Korean survival program Physical: 100. It follows a similar format, pitting 48 contenders from across Asia-Pacific in head-to-head battles that demand extreme strength, endurance, and strategy. The Australian squad is made up of six members, each a top performer in their field.
Meet the Captain: UFC Champion Robert Whittaker
Leading Team Australia is Robert “The Reaper” Whittaker, a renowned mixed martial artist. Whittaker holds the distinction of being the first Australian to ever win a UFC title. He currently holds the No. 9 ranking in the UFC’s competitive middleweight division. With a professional MMA career spanning since 2009, his experience in high-pressure combat sports makes him a natural leader for the team. His background in intense, one-on-one competition will be a major asset in the grueling challenges of Physical: Asia.
The Strength Squad: Eddie Williams and Eloni Vunakece
Team Australia boasts incredible raw power in the form of Eddie Williams, a two-time Australia’s Strongest Man. Williams, 35, first won the national title in Melbourne in 2017 and successfully defended it the following year. He has also competed internationally in prestigious events like the Arnold Pro World Series. Outside of strongman competitions, Williams works as a youth support worker for children with autism and has also worked as a wedding singer and a model.
They are joined by Eloni Vunakece, a 38-year-old former professional rugby league prop who played for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL and represented Fiji on the international stage. After his retirement from rugby in 2018, Vunakece has kept himself in the public eye through appearances on Australian Ninja Warrior and The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. In a notable pledge, he has committed to donating his brain to the Australian Sports Brain Bank for concussion research.
The Specialists: A Freerunner and a CrossFit Athlete
Adding agility and dynamic movement to the team is freerunner Dominic “Domtomato” Di Tommaso. The 33-year-old from Sydney is a world-recognized name in parkour and freerunning, and he competes regularly in the Red Bull Art of Motion events. He is a member of the elite Team Farang. His unique athletic background includes training in ballet and figure skating during his younger years.
Katelin Van Zyl brings a background in high-intensity functional fitness. The 33-year-old is a former member of the Australian women’s national hockey team, the Hockeyroos, before a jaw injury ended her career. She discovered CrossFit in 2013 and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually placing as the second fittest woman in Australia during the 2019 CrossFit Open. She is also a co-owner of two CrossFit gyms and a mother.
The Fitness Coach: Alexandra Milne
Completing the lineup is fitness coach Alexandra Milne. Growing up in North Queensland, she was always active, participating in netball, dance, track, and competitive cheerleading. A personal struggle with health and fitness during her university years led her to strength training. She now focuses on helping women build physical power and self-confidence through weight-based training.
All six members of Team Australia will compete in challenges that score both individual output and the overall standing of their nation. Their performance will be available for fans to watch as the show is currently streaming on Netflix.
Also Read: Physical: Asia Episodes 1-6 Recap: Winners, Eliminations, and New Release Schedule
