Varun Sanyal Reflects on Asian Games Experience After Withdrawal
Varun Sanyal's Asian Games Journey
Aichi-Nagoya, Japan - On September 22, Indian MMA athlete Varun Sanyal shared his thoughts after being unable to compete at the Asian Games due to health issues, describing the situation as a 'mission failed, successfully.'
Despite not being able to compete, Sanyal expressed pride in being part of the Indian team and contributing to the nation's MMA legacy at the Asian Games.
He extended his gratitude to everyone who supported him during the past three weeks, noting that his experiences helped shine a spotlight on MMA in India. Although he missed the competition, he viewed the increased awareness of the sport as a significant achievement.
In an Instagram post, Sanyal stated, 'Mission Failed.. Successfully. The last 3 weeks have been absolutely mental and there is so much to address. However, I want to start by saying thank you to everyone that messaged. Even if I didn’t step on the mat, I’m proud to have been part of this team and Indian MMA history at the Asian Games. Even if it was at my expense, my stories were able to bring a new level of attention to the sport and I’ll take that as a win.'
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Sanyal had to withdraw from the Asian Games in Nagoya after experiencing cramps and body aches while in the sauna at his accommodation on Sunday. Although medical tests returned normal results, he felt unfit to compete and, after consulting with his coach, decided to withdraw for health reasons.
As one of two Indian MMA fighters in the Asian Games team, Sanyal is also a bronze medalist from the Asian Championships held in China in January 2026.
This year marks the debut of MMA at the continental event.