Physical: 100 Season 2 winner Amotti addresses stage name controversy and nationality rumors after rising fame

Karen Noronha | Indiatimes | Jan 07, 2026, 14:37 IST
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Amotti's life changed almost overnight after winning Physical: 100 Season 2 and later dominating Physical Asia.
Instagram/amottivation | From questions about his stage name to rumors surrounding his nationality, Amotti addressed all.
Image credit : Instagram/amottivation | From questions about his stage name to rumors surrounding his nationality, Amotti addressed all.
Netflix's Physical: 100 Season 2 crowned Amotti as its ultimate champion, but long after the final challenge ended, the athlete has found himself battling a different kind of pressure - public speculation. From questions about his stage name to rumors surrounding his nationality, Amotti is now addressing the controversies head-on.

Appearing on MBC's Radio Star, the fitness star finally set the record straight.

Instagram/amottivation | Appearing on MBC's Radio Star, the fitness star finally set the record straight.
Image credit : Instagram/amottivation | Appearing on MBC's Radio Star, the fitness star finally set the record straight.


Amotti's rise after Physical: 100 Season 2 victory



Amotti's life changed almost overnight after winning Physical: 100 Season 2 and later dominating Physical Asia. The ₩300 million prize elevated him from elite athlete to mainstream celebrity, bringing endorsements, media attention, and intense online scrutiny.

The Radio Star New Year special, titled "Wishing You Lots of Abs in the New Year!", featured Amotti alongside Kim Dong Hyun, Kwanghee, and Dawn, giving viewers a closer look at how fame reshaped his daily life.

Instagram/amottivation | Amotti gave viewers a closer look at how fame reshaped his daily life.
Image credit : Instagram/amottivation | Amotti gave viewers a closer look at how fame reshaped his daily life.


Stage name controversy: the meaning behind 'Amotti'



As his popularity surged, so did curiosity around his name. Online debates questioned whether "Amotti" was a nickname, a brand invention, or something else entirely.

During the broadcast, Amotti calmly explained the origin of the name and why he chose to continue using it professionally. His explanation addressed lingering misconceptions that had circulated since his Physical: 100 win, offering clarity after months of speculation.

Instagram/amottivation | Amotti explanation addressed lingering misconceptions that had circulated since his Physical: 100 win.
Image credit : Instagram/amottivation | Amotti explanation addressed lingering misconceptions that had circulated since his Physical: 100 win.


Nationality rumors and military service misunderstandings



One of the most persistent rumors followed Amotti from his time serving in the Marine Corps. An old photograph sparked assumptions about his background, quickly spreading online.

On Radio Star, Amotti directly addressed the issue for the first time, explaining how the misunderstanding began and confirming the truth himself. The candid reveal drew surprise - and relief - from both the hosts and viewers.



Grueling training routine and near-career-ending injury



A former CrossFit athlete, Amotti revealed that his routine remains uncompromising. Training twice a day, he balances intense strength work with cardio, guided by strict principles of discipline and recovery.

However, his career was nearly derailed by a serious traffic accident that left his future uncertain. Amotti spoke openly about the long rehabilitation process and the mental resilience required to rebuild his body - a chapter that reshaped his outlook on competition and life.

A proposal behind the prize money



Closing the episode on a personal note, Amotti revealed that the same day he received his ₩300 million prize, he proposed to his wife. The two met at the gym - a detail that surprised the hosts - and his story offered a softer contrast to his powerful public image.

From viral controversies to deeply personal milestones, Amotti's Radio Star appearance reframed the champion not just as a physical force, but as a figure navigating fame, identity, and expectation in the spotlight.

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