Suchika Tariyal scripted history and secured India’s first Asian Games medal in her MMA debut

Suchika Tariyal secured India’s first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by reaching the traditional women’s 60kg MMA semifinals after defeating Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa. India’s Suchika Tariyal secured the country’s first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after defeating Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the women’s 60kg traditional mixed martial arts quarter-finals on Sunday.The 36-year-old produced a composed performance to book her place in the semi-finals, where she will play on Monday. Both the losing semi-finalists are assured of bronze medals and Tariyal’s progress to the last four will ensure that India return from the event with a medal.This achievement is particularly significant as MMA makes its debut at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.Tariyal’s latest achievement adds another chapter to an unusual combat sports journey that has taken her across multiple disciplines. She represented India in judo at the 2022 Commonwealth Games before competing in kurash at the 2023 Asian Games. She also became the World Jiu-Jitsu Champion in 2024.After leaving competitive sports, Tariyal eventually returned after encouragement from friends. Opting for MMA, she began the next chapter in her career, overcoming several challenges along the way, including a knee injury, to earn a spot in India’s Asian Games contingent.In the quarter-final against Baigalmaa, Tariyal maintained control to secure a 2-0 victory. The Mongolian, ranked 92nd in the Eurasia region, could not prevent the experienced Indian from advancing to the semi-finals.Tariyal will now have an opportunity to add to his medal tally when he takes to the mat again on Monday. Regardless of the result in the semi-finals, her run has already brought India its first medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.For a competitor who has moved between judo, kurashi, jiu-jitsu and MMA, the medal is another milestone in a career defined by transitions across combat sports. Her debut at the Asian Games in MMA has now guaranteed her a place on the podium.