1 day ago
Suchika Tariyal Secures India’s First Asian Games MMA Medal
Suchika Tariyal is an Indian athlete who competes in combat sports.
She started learning judo at age 12 after experiencing eve-teasing.
Over time, she also competed in jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.
At age 36, she represented India at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
She defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa by 2-0.
This win put her in the semifinals of the women’s Traditional MMA 60kg event.
Reaching the semifinals guarantees her at least a bronze medal.
She will now try to win the gold medal.
Her success came after many years of training and competition.
Suchika Tariyal defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the women’s Traditional MMA 60kg quarterfinal.
The victory secured India’s first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with Tariyal guaranteed at least bronze.
Tariyal began judo at 12 after an eve-teasing incident and trained for self-defence.
The 36-year-old is an eight-time national judo champion and a 2024 Ju-Jitsu World Championships gold medallist.
She will face the semifinals on Monday, aiming to turn her assured bronze into gold.
- Who
- Indian athlete Suchika Tariyal and Mongolian athlete Altanchimeg Baigalmaa.
- What
- Tariyal defeated Baigalmaa 2-0 to reach the women’s Traditional Mixed Martial Arts 60kg semifinals and secure at least a bronze medal for India.
- Where
- The bout took place at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre in Nagoya, Japan.
- When
- The quarterfinal took place on Sunday; the semifinals are scheduled for Monday during the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
- Why
- Tariyal competed to represent India and advance in the Asian Games Traditional MMA tournament.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Suchika Tariyal
- Age
- 36
- Event
- Women’s Traditional Mixed Martial Arts 60kg
- Quarterfinal result
- Tariyal defeated Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0
- Medal status
- Semifinal qualification guarantees at least a bronze medal
- Career achievements
- Eight-time national judo champion and 2024 Ju-Jitsu World Championships gold medallist
- Professional roles
- Former CISF head constable and junior coach in Haryana
Quotes
Suchika Tariyal
Indian combat-sports athlete competing in the women’s traditional MMA 60kg event
“I just planned my game as per my coach's instructions. My gameplan will be the same going forward -- same takedown, ground and pound, and then on the ground, finish the fight through a submission or lock. That's the strategy going forward as per my sir's instruction”
indianexpress.com
rediff.com
“I had a dream from childhood that I would learn some kind of fighting, so I chose judo. That journey has brought me here. It's like perfecting the base to go to the next level, and judo has helped me a lot with that”
rediff.com
Sources
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