Mongolia Physical Asia – The Strength of Bökh and the Soul of the Steppe | Avis Mongolia

The Roar of Strength on the Steppe

The wind over the Gobi carries stories — of dust, endurance, and champions.

As the sun dips low over the endless Mongolian horizon, two wrestlers circle each other in the dust. Around them, the crowd murmurs in rhythm with the drum of boots against the ground. The moment feels ancient — as if time itself is holding its breath.

This is Bökh, Mongolia’s traditional wrestling, the crown jewel of its national identity.

Half a world away, on the colossal sets of Netflix’s Physical: Asia, another Mongolian team stands under bright studio lights, ready to prove the same spirit of power, focus, and pride. Together, these worlds — the raw strength of the steppe and the gleaming spectacle of Netflix’s global competition — have become part of the same story: Mongolia’s journey from timeless tradition to modern global stage.

Physical: Asia – The Arena of Nations

Physical: Asia, the new Netflix series launched in late 2025, builds on the cult success of Physical: 100, taking athletic competition to a new level. This time, it’s not about individuals — it’s nation versus nation.

Eight teams. Forty-eight athletes. Each representing the physical might and cultural pride of their homeland.

The Mongolian team walks onto the massive set — a structure spanning the size of five football fields — bringing with them the essence of their ancestors: wrestlers, horsemen, and warriors shaped by the land.

This is not just a contest of muscle. It’s a celebration of endurance, unity, and tradition — and Mongolia stands tall among giants.

“We’re not just competing,” one Mongolian athlete said before the show. “We’re representing centuries of warriors who never gave up.”

Each episode of Physical: Asia pulses with the same energy found in a Bökh match. Obstacles, teamwork, and sheer willpower — all familiar to anyone who’s witnessed Mongolia’s national sport during the summer Naadam festival.

The Spirit of Bökh – Mongolia’s Living Strength

To understand why Mongolia’s presence in Physical: Asia feels so natural, you have to understand Bökh.

“Bökh” translates roughly to strength, firmness, or durability. But in truth, it means something deeper — a balance between body, spirit, and the soul of the land.

For over two thousand years, Mongolian wrestling has been the center of celebration, storytelling, and national identity. Its rules are simple: two competitors face off in an open field; the one who touches the ground with any body part other than their feet loses. There are no weight divisions, no time limits, and no boundaries — only skill, respect, and the will to endure.

At the Naadam Festival, wrestling is one of the “Three Manly Skills” alongside archery and horse racing. These contests are more than games — they are a ritual of connection between Mongolia’s nomadic past and its modern identity.

Every move in Bökh tells a story — the eagle dance before each match, the zodog jacket stretched tight across the chest, the embrace of rivals after a bout.

For travelers, witnessing Bökh in person is one of Mongolia’s most visceral cultural experiences. You can read more about it here:
👉 Explorer Company: Wrestling in Mongolia & Physical Asia

From the Steppe to Netflix – A Global Stage for Mongolian Power

When Netflix invited Mongolian athletes to join Physical: Asia, it wasn’t just for diversity. It was because Mongolia has always lived and breathed physical endurance.

The steppes are not a place that allows weakness. Nomadic life itself — herding, wrestling, surviving the winds of winter — has forged generations of strength.

That same strength is now global. The Mongolian team in Physical: Asia carries forward the nation’s reputation as a land of fighters and survivors, competing alongside athletes from Japan, Thailand, Türkiye, Indonesia, and beyond.

The transition from open steppe to studio set might seem vast — yet the mindset is the same. Both arenas demand endurance, focus, and humility. Both are built on the idea that true power comes from within.

The Cinematic Soul of Mongolia

There’s something cinematic about Mongolia — a land that looks like it was made for widescreen. Endless skies, mountains that shift color with the light, and roads that stretch like ribbons toward the horizon.

Driving through Mongolia feels like being inside a living film — part epic, part intimate story.

And that’s where Avis Mongolia comes in. For travelers inspired by Netflix’s Physical: Asia, renting a car and venturing into Mongolia’s landscapes lets you touch the spirit behind those athletes — the same wind that shapes warriors, herders, and dreamers.

A self-drive adventure gives you access to Bökh in its most authentic form — in villages, open-air festivals, and local Naadam celebrations far from the cities.
Learn more about Naadam and how to plan your journey here:
👉 Avis Mongolia: Naadam Festival Travel Blog

Wrestling as a Way of Life

Bökh is more than sport; it’s a way of life. Every Mongolian boy grows up watching local wrestlers, imitating the eagle dance, and dreaming of wearing the zodog — that tight, open-chested jacket symbolizing fearlessness.

Unlike modern sports, Bökh has no divisions, no belts, no medals. Victory is measured in honor and titles:

Arslan – “Lion”, the highest honor.
Avarga – “Champion”, bestowed upon Naadam winners.
Nachin – “Falcon”, earned through exceptional agility.

In Bökh, the aim is not to overpower your opponent but to outlast him — physically, mentally, and spiritually. It’s not uncommon for a single bout to last twenty minutes, with both wrestlers circling each other in silence, waiting for the right moment.

That patience, that quiet focus, is the same energy you see in Mongolia’s Physical: Asia team. There’s no bravado, only discipline — the kind that comes from centuries of living in harmony with the land.

The Naadam Connection – Mongolia’s Festival of Strength

If you want to witness the soul of Bökh, you go to Naadam.

Every July, Mongolia erupts in color, song, and competition as the nation celebrates its independence and ancient traditions. The Naadam Festival is a three-day spectacle of wrestling, archery, and horse racing — but its heart is Bökh.

Crowds gather under blue banners and the scent of roasted mutton and airag (fermented mare’s milk) fills the air. The announcer calls two wrestlers to the field. They perform the Devekh — the Eagle Dance — spreading their arms like wings before locking into combat. The crowd erupts as one wrestler’s heel slips on the grass. It’s over in a heartbeat.

Every village across the country hosts its own Naadam, from the capital Ulaanbaatar to the farthest corners of the Gobi Desert.

A self-drive trip through Mongolia in July gives you the chance to attend multiple Naadam events — from grand stadiums to intimate steppe gatherings. It’s not just a festival; it’s a road trip through centuries of tradition.

👉 Learn more about Naadam on Avis Mongolia’s blog

Bökh Meets Modernity – The Future of Mongolian Strength

Today’s Mongolian wrestlers balance ancient tradition with modern training. Many train in mixed martial arts, judo, and sumo — spreading their legacy across Japan, Korea, and now Netflix.

Mongolia has already produced sumo grand champions like Hakuho, and its presence in Physical: Asia is a natural continuation of that international success.

But at home, Bökh remains pure. No lights, no stages — just earth, sky, and the embrace of two competitors.

And perhaps that’s why the world finds Mongolia so fascinating. It’s a place where old and new collide beautifully — where you can watch a Netflix show in your hotel room one night, then drive across the plains the next morning and see that same spirit alive before your eyes.

Travel Through Strength – A Journey for the Body and Soul

A journey through Mongolia is not just about destinations; it’s about experiencing the country’s inner rhythm.

When you travel with Avis Mongolia, you have the freedom to chase that rhythm — from Ulaanbaatar’s arenas to the dunes of the Gobi, to small-town wrestling rings where Bökh champions rise from dust and determination.

You might find yourself pulling over to watch a local wrestling match by chance. Children will cheer, elders will clap, and someone will hand you a bowl of airag. You’ll realize then that you’re not just watching a sport — you’re witnessing a living tradition passed hand to hand, generation to generation.

Reflections – The Strength of a Nation

Watching Physical: Asia reminds us that physical endurance and cultural identity go hand in hand. But nowhere is that truth more powerful than in Mongolia.

Bökh is not about victory — it’s about balance, respect, and spirit.
The Mongolian athletes on Netflix are not just competitors; they are modern storytellers of an ancient strength.

For travelers, understanding this makes Mongolia more than a destination. It becomes a journey into human endurance, simplicity, and heart — values that shine from the grasslands to the screen.

So, the next time you tune into Physical: Asia on Netflix, watch closely. Behind every Mongolian athlete’s calm focus, you’ll see the reflection of the steppe — vast, silent, powerful.

And when you decide to visit, remember that the same strength awaits you here — in the land where the sky meets the earth, and tradition still breathes in every movement.

Plan Your Own Mongolia Physical Asia Journey

If the strength, silence, and cinematic landscapes of Mongolia Physical Asia inspire you — why not follow in those footsteps yourself?

Rent a car with Avis Mongolia, trace the wrestling grounds of the Naadam Festival, drive across the flaming cliffs of Bayanzag, and stand where centuries of warriors have tested their spirit.

Because here, on the Mongolian steppe, every road is a story — and every journey is a challenge worthy of a champion.

Suggested Itineraries – Experience Bökh & the Steppe

Mongolia's Ring Road: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, visit wrestling training centers and the Wrestling Palace. Afterwards head out on a long journey along the ring road to the north western provinces where Mongolian Wrestling culture started. Check out this two to three weeks Mongolia tour.
7-9 Days to Central Mongolia: Drive to Kharkhorin, the ancient capital, and witness local Naadam wrestling on a one week road trip in Mongolia.
Wrestling in the Gobi: Explore the Gobi Desert, meet nomadic families, and join local wrestling festivals.
Wrestling along off road tracks: Looking for more challenges than just wrestling the locals? Drive with well equipped fun offroad tours in Mongolia and meet local wrestlers in the middle of nowhere.

Final Call to Adventure

“The land shapes the people, and the people shape the legend.”

Mongolia’s strength isn’t only in its athletes — it’s in every gust of wind, every wrestle on the grass, and every traveler who comes seeking meaning beyond the horizon.

Whether you’re watching Physical: Asia from your couch or standing on the edge of the Gobi, the spirit of Mongolia will find you.

Start your own adventure. Feel the strength. Drive the freedom.
👉 Visit AVIS car rental in Mongolia to plan your self-drive journey in Mongolia.