Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Varun Sanyal Pulls Out of Asian Games MMA Quarterfinal
Varun Sanyal was supposed to fight in the Asian Games MMA quarterfinals.
He had a bye, meaning he did not need to fight in the earlier round.
The night before his match, he developed cramps and body pain in a sauna.
Doctors checked him and his blood tests were normal.
However, he still did not feel fit enough to compete the next morning.
After speaking with his coach, he withdrew for medical reasons.
His opponent, Mukhammad Nabiev of Bahrain, moved on to the semifinals.
India still secured a medal through Suchika Tariyal in the women’s competition.
Varun Sanyal withdrew from his men’s Traditional -77kg quarterfinal on medical grounds.
He experienced generalized cramps and body ache while in a sauna the previous evening.
Precautionary blood tests were normal, but he was not fully fit the next morning.
Bahrain’s Mukhammad Nabiev advanced to the semifinals after Sanyal’s withdrawal.
Suchika Tariyal secured India’s first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games by reaching the women’s -60kg semifinals.
- Who
- Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal and Bahrain’s Mukhammad Nabiev were involved in the men’s Traditional -77kg quarterfinal; Suchika Tariyal also competed for India.
- What
- Sanyal withdrew from his quarterfinal on medical grounds, while Tariyal reached the women’s Traditional -60kg semifinals and secured a medal.
- When
- Sanyal withdrew on Sunday after becoming unwell the previous evening.
- Where
- The events took place at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Sanyal experiencing symptoms in his cruise accommodation.
- Why
- Sanyal was not fully fit after experiencing generalized cramps and body ache.
- Competition
- Men’s Traditional -77kg MMA quarterfinal
- Indian fighter
- Varun Sanyal
- Opponent
- Mukhammad Nabiev of Bahrain
- Medical findings
- Precautionary blood tests were normal
- Result
- Nabiev advanced to the semifinals
- India’s medal
- Suchika Tariyal secured a medal in the women’s Traditional -60kg event
- Sport status
- MMA is making its Asian Games debut at the Aichi-Nagoya Games