PUMA Announces Three New HYROX Ambassadors For 2026: Ria Chen, Ian Fernando and Marc Fernando
- SportPlus News
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
PUMA Singapore taps rising HYROX athletes as ambassadors amid surge in hybrid racing
SINGAPORE — Sportswear brand PUMA has named three Singapore-based athletes as its new HYROX ambassadors for 2026, signaling the company’s continued push into the rapidly expanding hybrid fitness racing scene.
The brand announced this week that competitive athletes Ian Fernando, Marc Fernando and Ria Chen will represent PUMA Singapore in the global fitness racing competition HYROX. Collectively, the trio has participated in more than 15 races and secured multiple podium finishes across the region.
The appointments come as the German sportswear brand seeks to strengthen its foothold in hybrid racing — a competition format that combines endurance running with functional strength workouts and has gained traction among recreational and competitive athletes worldwide.
Brother duo builds momentum
Brothers Ian and Marc Fernando enter the ambassador program after a breakthrough year in competition.
The pair won first place in their age group in the Men’s Doubles division at the HYROX Singapore Expo in November 2025, finishing the race in 57 minutes and 9 seconds. The result followed an earlier second-place finish in June 2025, marking steady progression for the duo in the sport.
For Ian Fernando, who finished second in his debut HYROX race, the partnership with PUMA represents another step in refining performance and strategy in the demanding format.
“It's not just about completing the race — it's about executing your strategy, managing fatigue, and pushing harder when it matters most,” he said.
Marc Fernando added that the sport’s blend of endurance and strength is what makes the format compelling as it expands across the region.
“Being part of the sport at this stage is incredibly exciting, particularly as HYROX continues to grow across Southeast Asia,” he said.
Racing across Asia
Rounding out the ambassador lineup is Ria Chen, one of Singapore’s most internationally active HYROX competitors.
Since her first race in 2024, Chen has completed 12 HYROX events across Asia, including competitions in Taipei, Bangkok and Singapore.
Her 2025 season included gold medals in the Team Relay Women U40 category at HYROX Taipei and the HYROX Asia Championships, along with silver finishes in Bangkok and Singapore.
Chen said the sport’s global race calendar allows her to combine competition with travel — a key reason she continues to compete across the region.
“What kept me coming back and eventually travelling to other countries to compete is that I get to marry both my interests of travelling and racing,” she said.
She also credited her race-day footwear — including the PUMA Deviate Nitro and PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite — for helping her adapt to HYROX’s demanding mix of running and strength stations.
Building the hybrid fitness community
Beyond competition results, all three ambassadors are active within Singapore’s growing HYROX community. Ian and Marc Fernando are involved in coaching athletes preparing for their own HYROX races, while Chen continues to compete across Asia’s expanding event calendar.
According to Gabriel Yap, the appointments reflect the type of athlete emerging from the hybrid fitness movement.
“HYROX represents a new kind of athlete — one who trains for both power and endurance, and never settles for just one,” he said. “They push limits in competition and bring others along with them.”
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