Suchika Tariyal Shines in MMA at Asian Games, Secures Medal
Historic Debut for Mixed Martial Arts
On Sunday, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) made its inaugural appearance at the Asian Games, and India's Suchika Tariyal seized the moment by clinching a medal in the women's traditional 60kg category. She triumphed over her younger opponent, Altanchimeg Baigalmaa from Mongolia, with a score of 2-0 in the quarterfinals. The 36-year-old athlete, who has a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, has progressed to the semifinals where both losing semifinalists will earn bronze medals. Suchika is set to face Teo Hui Hoon from Singapore in the semifinals on Monday, as reported by SAI Media.
'This Medal Means Everything to Me'
In an exclusive interview with SAI Media following her quarterfinal match in Aichi-Nagoya, Suchika expressed the significance of the Asian Games medal. She stated, "This medal holds immense value for me, as my coaches and I have dedicated ourselves to this journey. My family has invested significantly in my training and provided unwavering support to help me excel as an MMA athlete. Therefore, this medal represents more than just a victory; it is my life’s achievement."
Insights on the Competition
Reflecting on the competitive landscape, Suchika, who was included in the sports ministry's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) earlier this year and received training support at One Punch Academy in Mumbai, noted, "The level of competition at the Asian Games is exceptionally high, featuring primarily professional athletes. The scoring system differs as knees and elbows are prohibited, which can sometimes be beneficial as it allows for recovery time. However, a hit to the face can lead to a knockout. While the risk of injuries is somewhat lower, the sport is highly technical, making it challenging for both amateurs and professionals."
From Self-Defense to the Podium
Suchika, a two-time medallist at the Asian MMA Championships in 2026, has also received support in the form of training kits and recovery equipment. Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, she comes from a humble and traditional family. Her journey into sports began at the age of 12 after an incident of eve-teasing prompted her to learn judo for self-defense. She initially trained at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, later refining her skills at the Dada Dev Mandir Centre in Palam and SAI Bhopal.
She has achieved remarkable success, becoming an eight-time National Judo Champion and earning numerous international accolades for India. Suchika won gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships and the 2019 South Asian Games. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she competed in the women's -57 kg category, narrowly missing out on a medal.
A prominent figure in the Asian martial arts scene, Suchika made her MMA debut in 2017 with a win but took a seven-year hiatus from the sport while continuing to excel in judo and jiu-jitsu. In addition to her athletic career, she serves as a Head Constable in the CISF.