Meet the challengersWe have met the two Malaysian teams. Now meet the eight other teams looking to take the mantle away from Malaysia. Let's see who they are.
Singapore
Colin Low, 36, regional sales director and Adrian Yap, 27, business development manager
Relationship: Gym buddies
Young, energetic and passionate about their fitness, the gym buddies are in such good shape they could have an advantage over their competitors.
Some teams, however, may brush them off as a weak team because of Yap's hearing disability. He has to at times rely on sign language to communicate with Low. Will his shortcoming prove to be a hindrance in the race or will he fool the other teams into complacency? Watch.
Indonesia
Team Indonesia.
Kinaryosih, 28, model/ actress and Brett Money, 26, physiotherapist
Relationship: Dating two years
This good-looking couple's love for travel was one reason they decided to try out for the race. Will this be enough for them to get through the gruelling race? Will Money's surfing prowess and Kinaryosih's charm win them the race? We shall see.
Thailand
Team Thailand.
Paula Taylor, 24, actress/ VJ/ model and Natasha Monks, 24, public relations/ brand consultant
Relationship: Childhood friends
What chance does two beautiful girls have in a kick-butt race like The Amazing Race? Will the childhood friends remain close after a month of roughing it out with each other? The duo admit that when they watch the Race on TV, they think they can do all the tasks.
"Now we have the chance to prove it to people," says Paula.
Will being beautiful be a disadvantage?
"No, I think it could work to our advantage. People will assume that we won't be able to actually do much and we can use that to our advantage and move forward" says Paula.
Really?
Japan
Team Japan.
Daichi Kawashima, 26, and Sawaka Kawashima, 28, Singer, both interpreters
Relationship: Brother and sister
The first Japanese team to join the cast of The Amazing Race Asia, Daichi and Sawaka only recently reunited after a family misunderstanding that happened three years ago. Will the race offer them a chance to re-discover the family love they once shared, or will they buckle under the pressure of their strained family ties?
The once-close siblings are sports enthusiasts: they both love soccer and basketball and though Daichi holds a black belt in karate, Sawaka is always looking out for her younger brother.
Apart from being reality TV fans, Sawaka is hoping the Race could help her launch her music career beyond Japan. Will they win the race? Will Sawaka get famous?
Team Hong Kong.
Hong Kong
Monica Lo, 28, actress/ model/ student and Edwin Lo, 26, event organiser
Relationship: Dating 10 years
Drama has always been the spice that drives the lives of Monica and Edwin. Monica is an actress so that's normal, but Edwin is nicknamed “Drama King” by his friends. Therefore, the two hope to drum up the drama in the race by assuming the roles of the notorious Rob and Amber (from the US version). They are determined to instil fear in the other teams and make this a race worth watching. Will they succeed or will the drama be their elimination? Watch on.
Hong Kong
Team Hong Kong.
Aurelia Chenat, 24, model, and Sophie Teng, 27, writer
Relationship: Ex-housemates
If there are fireworks in this race, you can be sure that some of it will come from these two. Both in the prime of their life, the Hong Kong residents are attractive, outgoing and personable. But the similarities stop here.
Sophie, who was a writer in an advertising agency, quit her job to take part in the race. She is serious and reflective and hopes her participation will lead to her lifelong dream of becoming a TV presenter and travel writer.
Aurelia, on the other hand, is a bubbly and chatty model who loves meeting interesting people. Though born and bred in France, she considers Hong Kong her home.
The two met through a mutual friend and become housemates ? but only briefly. There was no chemistry but there were some explosions. Will they manage to patch things up here or will they eat each other alive?
Philippines
Team Philippines.
Rovilson Fernandez, 30, TV host/ magazine editor and Marc Nelson, 31, TV host/ model
Relationship: Best buddies
Hunks. That’s about the first thing that comes to mind when you see these best friends. And then you learn that they are comedians too ? well they like to joke about each other. And, they are fighters determined to win the race and take home the US$100,000 prize money.
Can we take these pretty boys ? ok, handsome men, seriously? Or will they say goodbye before we get our fill of their good looks?
Philippines
Team Philippines.
Terri Reed, 44, housewife and Henry Reed, 48, retired US Navy senior chief petty officer
Relationship: Married 13 years
When it comes to discipline, dedication and effort placed in getting things done, nothing prepares you quite like the military and after over 20 years of serving his country, the retired Navy officer and his wife are all set for war ? on the race, that is.
Their only stumbling block could be the clashing of their strong personalities. Describing themselves as "borderline dysfunctional", Henry admits that the toughest part of the race was dealing with his wife.
Indeed, before anything takes off, the duo can be seen talking, and then arguing, and then smiling and laughing and then they start arguing again.
Will they make it through, arguments and all?
http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/19/tvnradio/19177263&sec=tvnradio