Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Varun Sanyal’s Asian Games Dream Ends After Solo Weight-Cut Blackout
Varun Sanyal was supposed to compete in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games.
He needed to reach the 77-kilogram weight category.
He tried to lose weight by himself because he had little time and no officials with him.
During a sauna session, he became very sick and blacked out.
Doctors checked him, and tests were normal, but he still did not feel well enough to fight.
He withdrew to avoid taking a risk in a combat sport.
Sanyal said it was foolish to attempt the weight cut alone but also asked why he had been left without support.
He faced other problems, including an eight-hour wait to get his accommodation and coaches who could not stay there.
He remained proud after Suchika Tariyal won a bronze medal for India in MMA.
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal withdrew from the Asian Games after blacking out during a sauna session.
Sanyal linked the incident to exhaustion, dehydration, cramps and body aches during a solo weight-cutting attempt.
He was selected on September 2 after qualification uncertainty, giving him about two weeks’ notice before competing in the traditional 77kg category.
Sanyal said the Indian MMA team had no support staff, while accommodation and coach-access problems also affected the contingent.
Despite missing his event, Sanyal praised teammate Suchika Tariyal, who won India’s first Asian Games MMA medal with a bronze.
- Who
- Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal, teammate Suchika Tariyal and the Indian MMA contingent.
- What
- Sanyal withdrew from the Asian Games MMA competition after becoming ill and blacking out during a solo weight-cutting attempt.
- When
- The incident occurred on Sunday; Sanyal discussed it on Monday after being selected on September 2 with about two weeks’ notice.
- Where
- The incident occurred in a sauna at Sanyal’s cruise accommodation during the Asian Games.
- Why
- Sanyal said he became exhausted and dehydrated while cutting weight alone at short notice; the Indian Olympic Association said he later withdrew on medical grounds after feeling unfit to compete.
Systemic Support Concerns
Personal Responsibility And Recovery
How the withdrawal should be understood
Systemic Support Concerns
The late selection, lack of team support, accommodation delays and coaches’ pass problems suggest broader organizational difficulties around the Indian MMA contingent.
Personal Responsibility And Recovery
Sanyal accepted the outcome, said he did not want to feel sorry for himself, and emphasized moving on while taking pride in Tariyal’s medal.
- Athlete
- Varun Sanyal
- Competition
- Asian Games mixed martial arts
- Planned division
- Men’s traditional 77kg category
- Medical incident
- Sanyal experienced a blackout, cramps and body aches during a sauna session
- Medical findings
- Medical examination and precautionary blood tests were normal, but Sanyal still felt unfit the next morning
- Selection timing
- Sanyal said he was added to the team on September 2, about two weeks before the Games
- India’s MMA medal
- Suchika Tariyal won bronze in the women’s traditional 60kg event
