‘Too old’ to Asian Games MMA medallist: Suchika Tariyal’s journey from judo to glory

The gym where Suchika Tariyal trains is modest: a single floor, a makeshift mat, a cage and the equipment needed to prepare for mixed martial arts. It is owned by Vikas Dahiya, an MMA fighter himself. When Dahiya is out of town, the keys are with Tariyal and her husband, Kapil Hooda.The couple have become so invested in the place that it is more than a training facility. It is part of the routine around which they have organised their lives, with Kapil closely watching his wife's preparation and sharing the emotional highs and lows of her career.For years, that routine was built around a goal that kept slipping out of reach. Tariyal moved from one combat sport to another, dealt with selection hurdles, and came close to walking away more than once.