MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES – Spartan Philippines ushered in a new era of competitive sports with the highly anticipated official launch of Spartan DEKA, held on July 28, 2028 at the Grand Atrium of EDSA Shangri-La Plaza. The momentous event introduced the rapidly growing sport of Hybrid Fitness Racing to the country, promising a world-class arena for local athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
The launch event, which drew an energetic crowd, featured a dynamic drumming performance, a roadmap presentation for 2026-2027, and a thrilling live demonstration of the 10 standardized DEKA functional fitness zones.
“For years, Spartan Philippines has been about conquering obstacles on the trails and in the mud. But the fitness world is evolving, and so are we,” said Marc Laurenze Celis, General Manager of Spartan Philippines. “For the longest time, if our athletes wanted to test themselves on a global leaderboard in this specific format, they had to book a flight and travel abroad. Not anymore. We are bringing the global standard of fitness racing right here to the Philippines.”
Unveiling the DEKA Philippines Ambassadors
A major highlight of the afternoon was the grand reveal of the first-ever Spartan DEKA Philippines Ambassadors. Carefully selected to represent the three core formats of DEKA, these six athletes embody the resilience, strength, and community spirit of the brand:
- DEKA Strong (10 Zones, No Running)
- Yzah Umlas: Spartan and 3x bodybuilding, an absolute master of strength, discipline, and raw power.
- Alex Diaz: Beyond being one of the country’s most beloved and talented celebrities, Alex is a formidable fitness influencer, an incredibly fast Spartan racer, and a dynamic entrepreneur. He perfectly embodies the DEKA spirit, constantly proving to his audience that anyone can step into the arena, start their fitness journey, and completely redefine their limits.
- DEKA Mile (10 Zones, 160m run before each zone):
- Marline Capones: A relentless multisports athlete who brings unparalleled stamina and adaptability to the race course.
- Coach Don Velasco (Flying Don V): Our elite triathlon champion and master endurance coach who knows the science on how to build an unbreakable engine.
- DEKA Fit (10 Zones, 500m run before each zone): Elite hybrid fitness athlete Justin Hernandez and world-class Ninja OCR athlete Kaizen Dela Serna.
- Kaizen Dela Serna: A world-class elite athlete for Ninja OCR, bringing explosive speed, agility, and competitive fire.
- Justin Hernandez: An elite hybrid fitness athlete and coach who lives and breathes this exact style of programming and pacing.
Championing Sports Tourism with the Department of Tourism
The event also highlighted a powerful partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Office of Special Concerns, graced by the presence of Assistant Secretary Gissela Marie R. Quisumbing and Director Lyle Fernando H. Uy.
Aligning with the DOT’s “Love The Philippines” campaign, Spartan Philippines announced the upcoming introduction of the Spartan Love The Philippines APAC Ambassadors. This initiative taps international Spartan Athletes from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and Cambodia. These global ambassadors will serve as a bridge to encourage international athletes to travel and race in the Philippines, further cementing the country’s position as a premier destination for sports tourism.
The launch was made possible through the support of key partners, including Shangri-La Plaza and Fenix/FITIQAsia, who provided equipment for the live DEKA demonstration.
Following this successful media launch, Spartan DEKA Philippines will continue its momentum with upcoming public activations with a Deka Strong Road Show at the PhilFit Expo this August 19 to 21 leading towards the first Deka Fit Arena event at Space at One Ayala on October 3-4 where an estimate 5000+ runners will be joining.
For more information on upcoming races, the 2026-2027 roadmap, and how to get involved, follow Spartan Philippines on social media or visit their official website.
About Spartan DEKA:
Spartan DEKA is the decathlon of functional fitness, designed for all levels. It consists of 10 standardized fitness zones designed to test strength, endurance, and mobility. Because the zones are standardized globally, athletes can compete on a global leaderboard, measuring their performance against competitors worldwide.
Forged from Spartan: The Next Evolution in Fitness
Forged from the unyielding spirit of Spartan™, DEKA emerges as more than just an event; it’s the next evolution in functional fitness. Drawing on a legacy of pushing human limits, we’ve engineered a sport that’s universally accessible, objectively measurable, and fundamentally designed to empower and celebrate every level of ability – from the curious first-timer to the elite athlete. This is Spartan innovation, redefined for all.
Choose Your Challenge: Earn Your DEKA Mark
Your journey, your format. Choose your challenge, earn your “DEKA Mark,” and join a global movement:
DEKA STRONG: The ultimate test of functional strength – 10 Zones, zero running. Pure power and grit.
DEKA MILE: Where speed meets strength – 10 Zones seamlessly combined with 1 mile of total running.
DEKA FIT: The electrifying hybrid racing challenge – 10 Zones integrated with 5km of total running for the ultimate fitness test.
Reference & Media Contact:
Marc Laurenze Celis
General Manager, Spartan Philippines
marc.celis@spartanrace.ph
+639177026798
ph.spartan.com