Suchika Tariyal Shines in MMA at Asian Games, Secures Medal
Suchika Tariyal's Historic MMA Achievement
On September 20, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) made its debut at the Asian Games, and Indian athlete 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, who has a background in judo and jiu-jitsu, has progressed to the semifinals, where both losing semifinalists will receive bronze medals. Suchika is set to face Teo Hui Hoon from Singapore in the semifinals on Monday, as reported by SAI Media.
In an exclusive interview with SAI Media following her quarterfinal match in Aichi-Nagoya, Suchika expressed the significance of the Asian Games medal to her. 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 in MMA. Therefore, this medal is more than just an achievement; it represents my life’s work."
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Reflecting on the competition, Suchika, who was recently included in the sports ministry's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme and received support for her training at One Punch Academy in Mumbai, noted, "The level of competition at the Asian Games is incredibly high, featuring many professional athletes. The scoring system is also distinct, as knees and elbows cannot be used. This can be beneficial, allowing time for recovery. However, if you get hit in the face, it can lead to a knockout. While the risk of injury is somewhat lower, the sport is highly technical, making it challenging for both amateurs and professionals alike."
Suchika, a two-time medallist at the Asian MMA championships in 2026, also received assistance with training kits and recovery equipment. Hailing from Rohtak, Haryana, she comes from a humble and traditional family.
Her journey in sports began at the age of 12, inspired by an incident of eve-teasing that led her to pursue judo for self-defense. She initially trained at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi and later at Dada Dev Mandir Centre in Palam, refining her skills at SAI Bhopal.
Suchika has achieved remarkable success, becoming an eight-time National Judo Champion and earning numerous international medals for India, including 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 youth icon and a well-known figure in the Asian martial arts scene, Suchika made her MMA debut in 2017 with a victory, although she 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.