Suchika Tariyal Wins India's First Medal at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

Suchika Tariyal's Journey to the Podium

At the age of 12, Suchika Tariyal began her journey in Judo as a way to learn self-defense following an unsettling experience with eve-teasing. Fast forward over ten years, and her choice has led her to the Asian Games, where she proudly secured India's inaugural medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

On Sunday, Suchika triumphed over Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa, earning her spot in the semifinals of the women's traditional 60kg MMA (mixed martial arts) event. This victory guaranteed her a medal and added another significant milestone to her impressive career in combat sports.

Baigalmaa started the second round with fierce determination, aiming to turn the match in her favor. However, Suchika's solid defense withstood the pressure. As her opponent continued to press, Suchika executed a pivotal reversal, bringing Baigalmaa to the ground and maintaining her dominance until the round concluded, securing her win.

This medal marks yet another highlight in Suchika's athletic journey, which has evolved from Judo to Ju-Jitsu and now to MMA.

Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, Suchika began her training at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, later moving to the Dada Dev Mandir Centre in Palam, and eventually training at SAI Bhopal. 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 Judo accolades include gold medals at the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships and the 2019 South Asian Games, along with a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships. She has also competed in various Asian Judo Championships and participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in the women's -57 kg category.

However, Judo was just the beginning for her. Suchika transitioned to 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 foray into MMA marked another chapter in her combat sports career. She made her MMA debut in 2017 with a win but took a seven-year hiatus to focus on Judo and Ju-Jitsu.

In December 2024, Suchika made her return to professional MMA at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain after signing a multi-fight contract with BRAVE Combat Federation, signaling the start of a new phase in her career.

Beyond her athletic pursuits, Suchika has also carved out a path 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.