Suchika Tariyal Makes History with Bronze at Asian Games 2026

Suchika Tariyal has made history by winning a bronze medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games 2026, marking a significant achievement for India. Despite a narrow semifinal loss to Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo, which hinged on a weight difference of just 700 grams, Tariyal's performance secured her place as the first Indian MMA medalist at this prestigious event. With a rich background in combat sports, her journey reflects resilience and dedication, making her a standout figure in Indian athletics. Read on to learn more about her remarkable achievements and the challenges she faced.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 21, 2026, 13:36 IST

Historic Achievement for Suchika Tariyal

Indian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitor Suchika Tariyal achieved a remarkable milestone at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya on September 21. Despite a tough semifinal match against Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo, which went into an extra round, she secured a bronze medal.

Tariyal advanced to the semifinals after receiving a bye in the round of 16 and defeating Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa with a score of 2-0 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal, the match ended in a draw after an additional round, with Hui Hoon Teo progressing to the finals due to a lighter morning weigh-in by 700 grams.

By reaching the semifinals, Tariyal ensured her place on the podium, marking her as the first Indian to win a medal in mixed martial arts at this prestigious multi-sport event.

The Narrow Margin That Cost Gold

India's pursuit of its inaugural gold medal in Mixed Martial Arts at the Asian Games hinged not on a decisive knockout but rather on a minuscule weight difference. The semifinal bout between Suchika Tariyal and Hui Hoon Teo remained tied even after an intense extra round.

Following the match, the Indian team filed an appeal, prompting a review by a 10-judge arbitration panel, which ultimately ruled the match a draw. According to competition regulations, in the event of a tie, the lighter competitor is awarded the victory. Since Hui Hoon Teo weighed 700 grams less than Tariyal during the morning weigh-ins, she advanced to the gold medal match.

The slight weight difference underscored the razor-thin margins that can determine outcomes in elite combat sports. With Varun Sanyal withdrawing for medical reasons, Suchika was India's sole hope for a medal in this event.

Profile of Suchika Tariyal

Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, Suchika Tariyal has a rich background in combat sports, excelling in judo, ju-jitsu, and mixed martial arts. She began her athletic career in judo, representing India in over 20 international events and securing eight national titles for Haryana.

Her first significant international success came in 2018 when she earned a silver medal at the Commonwealth Championships. The following year, she clinched gold at both the Commonwealth Championships and the South Asian Games in the women’s 57 kg judo category. In 2024, she added a gold medal in the women’s 60kg category at the World Ju-Jitsu Championships held in Heraklion, Greece.

Suchika has been a professional MMA fighter since 2017 but took a seven-year hiatus to focus on judo and ju-jitsu. She made her return to professional MMA in December 2024 at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain, marking her comeback with a victory. Now, she has made history as the first Indian athlete to earn a medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games, adding a significant chapter to her impressive sports journey.