Spartan Philippines officially launched Spartan DEKA, introducing the global standard of hybrid fitness racing to the country on July 28, 2026, at the EDSA Shangri-La Plaza. The milestone event featured live demonstrations of DEKA’s 10 standardized functional fitness zones and unveiled its first six official ambassadors, including celebrity athlete Alex Diaz and elite coaches across the Strong, Mile, and Fit categories. Highlighting a strategic partnership with the Department of Tourism’s “Love The Philippines” campaign, the launch emphasized boosting sports tourism by attracting international competitors, paving the way for upcoming public activations and a new era of competitive fitness for Filipinos.
MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES – July 29, 2026 – Spartan Philippines ushered in a new era of competitive sports with the highly anticipated official launch of Spartan DEKA, held yesterday, July 28, 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)
o Yzah Umlas: Spartan and 3x bodybuilding, an absolute master of strength, discipline, and raw power.
o 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):
o Marline Capones: A relentless multisports athlete who brings unparalleled stamina and adaptability to the race course.
o 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.
o Kaizen Dela Serna: A world-class elite athlete for Ninja OCR, bringing explosive speed, agility, and competitive fire.
o 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.
###
