Suchika Tariyal Clinches Historic Medal at Asian Games

A Journey from Self-Defense to the Podium

At the age of 12, Suchika Tariyal began practicing Judo to learn self-defense following an eve-teasing incident. Over ten years later, her choice has led her to the Asian Games podium, where she achieved India's first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. On Sunday, Suchika triumphed over Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa, securing her spot in the semifinals of the women's traditional 60kg MMA (mixed martial arts) event, thus guaranteeing herself a medal and adding to her impressive combat sports legacy. Despite Baigalmaa's aggressive tactics in the second round, Suchika's defense remained strong. As her opponent pressed on, Suchika executed a pivotal reversal, bringing Baigalmaa to the ground and maintaining dominance until the round concluded, ensuring her victory.

A Diverse Sporting Background

Suchika's medal is a testament to her diverse sporting journey, transitioning from Judo to Ju-Jitsu and ultimately to MMA. Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, she began her training at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, later moving to the Dada Dev Mandir Centre in Palam, and eventually training at SAI Bhopal.

Accomplished Judo Career

She has made a name for herself as a skilled judoka, representing India in over 20 international events and earning the title of eight-time National Judo Champion. Her accolades include gold medals at the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships and the 2019 South Asian Games, along with a silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships. Additionally, she has competed in various Asian Judo Championships and participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the women's -57 kg category.

Transitioning to Ju-Jitsu and MMA

However, Judo was just the beginning for Suchika. She later ventured into Ju-Jitsu, achieving remarkable success by winning gold in the Adults Ju-Jitsu Contact Female -63 kg category at the JJIF Ju-Jitsu World Championships in 2024. Her move into MMA marked another significant chapter in her combat sports career. After debuting in MMA in 2017 with a win, she took a seven-year hiatus to focus on Judo and Ju-Jitsu. In December 2024, she made her return to professional MMA at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain after signing a multi-fight contract with BRAVE Combat Federation, marking the start of a new phase in her career.

Public Service Career

Outside of her athletic pursuits, Suchika has also established a career in public service and sports administration. She was appointed as a Head Constable in the CISF and later took on the role of Junior Coach in the Department of Sports, Haryana.