Heartbroken Suchika settles for historic bronze as 700 grams rob her of MMA final seat in Asian Games 2026

Suchika Tariyal's dream of winning a gold medal in women's traditional 60kg mixed martial arts (MMA) event at Asian Games 2026 ended in heartbreak on September 21. Suchika's semifinal bout against Singapore's Hui Hoon ended in a draw but the latter advanced to the final as she was 700 grams lighter than her opponent at the morning weigh-in. 

A winner couldn’t be decided in a regulation time with Suchika and Teo winning a round each. Suchika’s blows helped her land Teo down in the second round, forcing a one-minute extra round.

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In the tie-breaker round, Teo was named the winner. But, after a challenge from India, the protest led to a tie. The Asian MMA rules came into play. None of them were given more advice or warnings than the other which were the first two conditions to determine a winner. In the end, the morning weigh-ins were considered and Teo advanced to the final as she was 700 grams lighter.

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Suchika was left in tears and initially refused to shake hands of her opponent who won the bout by ‘Break Tie by Weight’. Her coach consoled her and eventually she shook hands of the Singaporean.

"After the Indian challenge, the result of the bout was declared drawn. The winner was then decided on the basis of the weights of competing athletes according to morning weigh-in," MMA Sports Federation president Nikhil Kunde told PTI.

"Since, the Singaporean was lighter than Suchika by around 700 grams, she moved to the final. Suchika settled for bronze."

Denied the final spot by the barest of margins, the 36-year-old Suchika scripted history anyway with India’s first MMA medal in Asian Games.

Before the controversial semifinal, she had defeated Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinal round to assure herself of a historic medal.

Suchika, a multi combat-sport veteran

In early 2000s as a 12-year-old, she had faced street harassment. She took up combat sports. In 2022 Commonwealth Games, she represented India in judo category. In the previous edition of Asian Games, she had participated in Kurash (a wrestling style) as well.