Suchika Tariyal Wins India’s First Asian Games MMA Medal, Clinches Bronze In Historic Debut

Suchika Tariyal secured India’s first-ever medal in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) at the Asian Games 2026, winning bronze on Monday after a dramatic women’s traditional -60kg semi-final against Singapore’s Teo Hui Hoon.

The 36-year-old Indian fighter battled hard and took the bout into overtime, but the judges eventually ruled in favour of her Singaporean opponent. Tariyal appeared visibly disappointed as she returned from the contest.

When the official called both fighters to the stage to announce the result, Tariyal initially refused to step forward, seemingly anticipating the verdict. After her coaches urged her to go up, she reluctantly walked onto the stage before returning in tears.

Historic MMA Medal For India

The 2026 Asian Games mark the debut of MMA at the continental multi-sport event. BMX, teqball, padel, surfing and virtual taekwondo are among the other sports making their Asian Games debut.

Tariyal had already secured at least a bronze medal on Sunday after defeating Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinals.

Her medal marks a historic milestone for Indian MMA at the Asian Games.

Suchika Tariyal’s MMA Journey

Tariyal made her MMA debut in 2017 but subsequently took a seven-year break from the sport while continuing to compete in judo and Ju-Jitsu.

In 2024, she signed a multi-year contract with BRAVE Combat Federation in the Women’s Strawweight division. She returned to professional MMA at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain in December 2024.

Who Is Suchika Tariyal?

Born in Rohtak, Haryana, Tariyal began her sporting journey at the age of 12 after an eve-teasing incident motivated her to take up judo for self-defence.

She went on to establish herself as an international-level judoka, representing India at more than 20 international competitions.

Tariyal is an eight-time National Judo Champion and has won gold at both the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships and the 2019 South Asian Games.

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she competed in the women’s -57kg category and narrowly missed out on a podium finish, reaching the bronze-medal bout.

Outside sport, Tariyal served as a Head Constable in the CISF before joining the Department of Sports, Haryana, as a Junior Coach.