Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Varun Backs Suchika After Controversial Asian Games Semifinal Loss
Suchika Tariyal competed in a mixed martial arts event at the Asian Games.
She won her quarterfinal match against Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa.
She then narrowly lost her semifinal to Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo.
Varun Sanyal thought Suchika had actually done enough to win.
The judges’ decision went the other way.
Even so, Suchika won a bronze medal.
This made her the first Indian athlete to win an Asian Games medal in mixed martial arts.
Varun said India should be proud of her achievement.
He also said the sport needs more funding, coaches, and support.
Varun Sanyal said he believed Suchika Tariyal had done enough to win her Asian Games semifinal.
Tariyal narrowly lost to Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo in the women’s traditional -60kg event.
The result ended Tariyal’s gold-medal hopes but secured India’s first Asian Games MMA medal.
Varun said Indian MMA needs greater government funding and official recognition for MMASFI.
After his own campaign ended unsuccessfully, Varun said he is focused on his professional career.
- Who
- Indian MMA wrestler Varun Sanyal and Indian athlete Suchika Tariyal; Tariyal faced Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo.
- What
- Varun backed Tariyal after her controversial semifinal loss and called for stronger support for Indian mixed martial arts.
- When
- The semifinal took place on Monday during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games; Varun said he turned professional in June.
- Where
- At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
- Why
- Tariyal’s result created a historic first Asian Games MMA medal for India and highlighted the need for greater funding and recognition.
Varun’s assessment
Official decision
Semifinal result
Varun’s assessment
Varun said he was confident Tariyal had won and noted that PT Usha also believed she had prevailed.
Official decision
The judges awarded the semifinal to Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo, ending Tariyal’s gold-medal hopes.
Meaning of the result
Varun’s assessment
Varun said the country should remain proud because Tariyal won a historic bronze medal.
Official decision
The decision meant Tariyal could not compete in the gold-medal bout, although she still secured bronze.
Future of Indian MMA
Varun’s assessment
Varun argued that government funding, federation recognition, grassroots programs, and better coaching are needed.
Official decision
The article notes that MMA has made progress and is making its Asian Games debut, but recognition and support remain developing.
- Athlete supported
- Suchika Tariyal
- Semifinal opponent
- Hui Hoon Teo of Singapore
- Event
- Women’s traditional -60kg mixed martial arts
- Medal
- Bronze
- Historic achievement
- India’s first Asian Games medal in mixed martial arts
- Quarterfinal result
- Tariyal defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0
- Requested support
- Government funding and recognition for MMASFI