India’s Suchika Tariyal broke new ground in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games, but the historic moment came with heartbreak. The 36-year-old secured India’s maiden MMA medal at the continental showpiece on Monday, settling for bronze after losing a gruelling women’s traditional 60kg semi-final to Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo in the extra round.Tariyal went down 0-2 in the extra round after a closely fought contest in which both fighters appeared exhausted, with neither able to land a decisive blow through their punches and kicks. While Teo celebrated her place in the final, an emotional Tariyal struggled to come to terms with the result, breaking down in tears as her coach consoled her.The bronze medal took India’s overall tally at the Games to four, with three silver medals having come from the shooting range.Despite the disappointment of missing out on a place in the final, Tariyal’s achievement marked a milestone for Indian sport, with MMA making its debut at the ongoing Asian Games.The Rohtak-born athlete had booked her place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa in the quarter-finals, thereby assuring herself of a medal.A former judoka, Tariyal represented India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and competed in kurash at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Her bronze in Nagoya added another chapter to a sporting journey that has spanned multiple disciplines.Tariyal had also previously competed in MMA, making her professional debut in 2017 and winning her first bout. She then spent seven years away from the sport while pursuing judo and Jiu-Jitsu before returning to MMA competition and signing a multi-fight deal with BRAVE Combat Federation in November 2024.Her return came after overcoming setbacks, including a knee injury, while she also gained public recognition through an appearance on the television reality show Roadies.MMA is one of six sports making their Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya, alongside freestyle BMX, teqball, padel, surfing and virtual taekwondo.
