Asian Games 2026: Suchika Tariyal Creates History With MMA Bronze Medal

Nagoya: Suchika Tariyal created history by winning a bronze medal in mixed martial arts (MMA) at the Asian Games despite losing in the semifinals. Suchika made history by winning India's first medal in the women's 60kg category in MMA.

Suchika lost to Singapore's Teo Hui Hoon in the semifinal. She had reached the last four after defeating Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinal.

Tariyal is a multidisciplinary combat sports athlete who has represented India in judo and kurash. She overcame a knee injury to compete in MMA at the Asian Games.

MMA was included in the Asian Games for the first time at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Suchika had represented India in judo at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and in kurash at the 2023 Asian Games. She is also a 2024 jiu-jitsu world champion.