When Team Mongolia first entered the room in the Netflix show “Physical: Asia,” it caused a noticeable stir. Mongolia’s six contestants including individuals wearing traditional wrestling garment and a shimmery cirque-du soleil outfit, a judoka and a modern-day warrior showing two championship belts walking side by side. 
Mongolia’s team had the substance to go with its style. Their perseverance and competitiveness sparked both admiration and curiosity in a global audience of millions.
In recent years, Mongolia’s sports industry has become a rapidly growing sector. “Physical: Asia” sets a new benchmark by introducing Mongolia’s athletes to the world.
“Physical: Asia” – a Korean-sponsored Netflix show that debuted in late November – showcased a competition between professional athletes from eight countries: Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Turkiye. The other national teams included world-famous athletes such as the Philippines’ Manny Pacquiao, known as “Pacman,” an eight-division world champion in boxing. Other mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters like Kim Dong-hyun (South Korea), Yushin Okami (Japan), and Robert Whittaker (Australia) were highlights of the show. 
But Mongolia’s team outlasted them all, making it all the way to compete for the final prize against South Korea. Although Mongolia came in second in the end, the world is still buzzing with discussions about how competitive the Mongolian athletes were, and even more with new interest in the country’s culture. 
The Mongolian team combined traditional sports with modern athleticism. The team included a national wrestler (National Lion rank), Orkhonbayar Bayarsaikhan; a featherweight MMA fighter, Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu; national judoka Adiyasuren Amarsaikhan, 3×3 basketball player Dulguun Enkhbat, volleyball player Khandaa Gantogtokh, and Lkhagva-Ochir Erdene-Ochir, a national acrobat and contortionist. 
Collectively, Team Mongolia represented their country’s growing push to showcase its culture and sports on the world stage. “Physical: Asia” reached Netflix’s Top 10 list for global views, reaching 5.2 million viewers in the first week and 3.6 million the following week. 
Global viewers may have heard of Chinggis Khaan, but would not be fully aware of how global and modern Mongolia is. Team members like Enkh-Orgil, whose style resembled a historic character with a modern twist, left a deep impression. 
“Physical: Asia” also showed different sides of Mongolia. When Mongolian contortionist Lkhagva-Ochir walked into the room with his shimmering outfit, comparison ranged from Elsa in the Disney hit movie “Frozen” to a “long-haired vampire prince.” During the third challenge, which required acrobatic strength, Lkhagva-Ochir lasted the longest, surpassing athletes from Turkiye and South Korea. 
For those who follow international sports, Mongolia’s judo team has a remarkable reputation in Asia. Mongolia’s judo diplomacy with Russia, Japan, and South Korea is already well known in the sports community. When Mongolia’s judoka Adiyasuren walked to the arena, contestants from Japan and South Korea understand what she was capable of. 
Judo has also been a source of Mongolian pride well beyond “Physical: Asia.” In 2008, Mongolia won its first-ever Olympic gold medal during the Beijing Olympics. Mongolia currently holds medals from the 2009, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2022 world championships. 
Mongolia’s sports push includes a new role as the host for international sporting events. In recent years, the Mongol Derby has become a popular activity for international equestrians. The Mongol Derby is known to be one of the longest and toughest horse races in the world, covering around 620 km (1,000 miles). Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Africa are regular participants in and supporters of Mongol Derby. 
In the last five years, Mongolia has also been an active contributor to the global esports industry. As of 2025, Mongolia has participated in 450 tournaments. Team Mongolz came in first place in the Counter-Strike 2 competition at the Esport World Cup 2025. Esports, in particular, sheds light on Mongolia’s modernization and helps increase tourism and investment opportunities in diverse sectors. 
Mongolia’s participation in “Physical: Asia” was a big boost in exposing Mongolia to rest of the world, yet it wasn’t a state-backed effort. In an interview, Lkhagva-Ochir emphasized that even though some of the athletes were national athletes, they all participated in “Physical: Asia” as private individuals. That said, the government is happy to celebrate the success of Mongolian athletes.
Upon the team members’ return to Mongolia, the president of Mongolia, Khurelsukh Ukhna, received the participants to congratulate them personally and on behalf of all Mongolians. Khurelsukh thanked the participants for showcasing Mongolia’s competitive edge in sportsmanship, competing on the world stage, and becoming a symbol of their country. 
Given the massive success, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth will now be working with Team Mongolia to boost Mongolia’s exposure and increase tourism. The sports diplomacy sparked by “Physical: Asia” is continuing. Following the competition, South Korean participants Jang Eun-sil and Amotti and Australian parkour athlete Dominic Di Tommaso have visited Mongolia. Team Korea’s leader, Kim Dong-hyun, plans to visit Mongolia in December. 
By Bolor Lkhaajav
Bolor Lkhaajav is a researcher specializing in Mongolia, China, Russia, Japan, East Asia, and the Americas. She holds an M.A. in Asia-Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco.

Published Date:2025-12-02