Manila, Philippines — Filipino grit took on one of the world’s toughest fitness races as PUMA Philippines’ elite roster of athletes delivered standout performances at HYROX Jakarta, bringing their strength, speed, and determination to the Nusantara International Convention Exhibition (NICE).
PUMA ambassador and hybrid athlete Beef Co teamed up with multisport athlete Liz Kuzcera in the Mixed Doubles category, where they ranked 11th out of 1,010 pairs. Joining them in the same division were Mia Salisbury, a fitness instructor specializing in rowing and HYROX conditioning, and Luis Padilla, a HYROX Pro athlete with international Pro Doubles experience.
Besides the Mixed Doubles race, both athletes also competed in separate categories. Co secured third place in the Men’s Open Doubles Ages 25-29, while Kuczera took home a first- place victory in the Women’s Team Relay Under 40, outperforming 151 competing teams and completing the relay in just 59:19.
In the Men’s Doubles Pro category, content creator Kelby Uy and his racing partner Macky Macatangay tackled heavier weights and stricter competition standards. Having previously competed at HYROX Hong Kong, they once again faced off against the region’s top competitors.
“It was all about communication and trust. This race was a true test of friendship for us,” shared Uy. “It was all about knowing when to stop and when to push each other’s engine further without emptying the tank.”
Macatangay talked about the importance of a strong partnership, especially at the height of the race’s physical toll. “Fighting cramps from the very first station due to a quick turnaround from the Mixed Doubles race was brutal. I was incredibly lucky to have Kelby as a partner; he crushed the heavy stations and mentally drove me to the finish line,” he said.
Beyond the physical demands, the athletes were inspired by a supportive community at HYROX Jakarta. “Indonesians are very close to Filipinos. It gave an energy so familiar at home. Everyone was just cheering for each other,” Uy observed.
“The energy from the crowd, especially the PUMA PH Team, was contagious,” Macatangay added. “Their cheers kept us moving through the pain of every run and station. Seeing everyone else dig deep inspired me to keep pushing all the way to the finish line.”
Joining the competition was South Korean fitness athlete Hong Beom-seok. A former elite special forces soldier and World Firefighter Games champion, Hong is widely known for his performances as a finalist on Netflix’s hit series ‘Physical: 100’.
To finish the race, the athletes pushed through HYROX’s signature test of physical endurance. They completed eight one-kilometer runs, each followed by a functional workout station, for a total of eight kilometers of running and eight physically demanding stations.
As HYROX’s official partner, PUMA equips its athletes with high-performance footwear and apparel engineered to handle every demanding sled push, wall ball, and sprint.
“My PUMA Deviate NITRO™ Elite 4 definitely helped me the most during the relay. At the Sled Pull, I’m basically throwing my entire body weight back as fast as I can. I need to be able to trust the shoes and their grip to hold me. They also help me keep that extra kick in the runs, even when my lungs and legs were tired,” said Kuczera, crediting her reliable footwear for her victory at the relay.
Uy experienced a similar competitive advantage. “My PUMA Deviate NITRO™ 4s gave me so much stability in all the sleds and lunges, but also allowed me to run fast. It was a great balance of comfort and functionality. Plus points for style because our bright orange/red color definitely stood out,” he said.
Through every sled pull, sprint, and functional station, Team PUMA Philippines proved their grit and teamwork at HYROX Jakarta, returning home stronger and ready for the next challenge.
Follow PUMA Philippines’ official website and social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for behind-the-scenes content and Team PUMA Philippines’ race day results.
