Suchika Tariyal confirms first medal for India at Asian Games with MMA semifinal berth
Suchika Tariyal secured India's first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by reaching the semifinals of the women's 60kg Traditional Mixed Martial Arts event. The 36-year-old veteran successfully transitioned from judo and jiu-jitsu to MMA for this competition.
Why it matters
This marks a significant milestone for Indian athletes in the debut of MMA at the Asian Games, highlighting the growth of multi-discipline combat sports.
Suchika Tariyal assured India of its first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games , defeating Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 to storm into the semifinals of the women’s Traditional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) 60kg event, on Sunday (September 20, 2026).
The 36-year-old veteran, who has carved out a multi-discipline combat sports career spanning judo, kurash, jiu-jitsu and now MMA, will fight in the semifinals on Monday (September 21).
A place in the semifinals guarantees a medal in the event, with the two losing semifinalists awarded bronze. MMA is making its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
Tariyal's medal-winning run is the latest chapter in a sporting journey that saw her represent India in judo at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and in kurash at the 2023 Asian Games. She was also crowned Jiu-Jitsu world champion in 2024.
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