NEW DELHI: At 12, an incident of eve-teasing changed the course of Suchika Tariyal’s life.What began as a need to protect herself eventually became a journey through judo, Ju-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. And on Sunday, the 36-year-old Rohtak native broke new ground for Indian MMA at the Asian Games.Tariyal defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the women’s traditional -60kg quarterfinal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games to enter the semifinals and guarantee India at least a bronze medal.In the process, she became the country’s first athlete to secure an Asian Games medal in MMA, which is making its debut at the Games.
From self-defence to a life in combat sports
The decision to take up judo after the eve-teasing incident was never meant to lead to a career on the international stage. But Tariyal steadily turned herself into one of India’s most versatile combat athletes.She began with judo before moving to Ju-Jitsu and eventually MMA in 2017. Her judo career brought eight national titles and international success, including gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships and the 2019 South Asian Games. She also won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships and competed at multiple Asian championships.
Suchika Tariyal (@suchika_tariyal Instagram)
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she competed in the women’s -57kg category and narrowly missed a medal.Her transition to Ju-Jitsu produced another major achievement when she won gold in the adults Ju-Jitsu Contact Female -63kg category at the 2024 JJIF Ju-Jitsu World Championships.Tariyal made her MMA debut with a victory in 2017 but took a seven-year break from the sport while continuing her judo and Ju-Jitsu career. She returned to professional MMA in December 2024 after signing with BRAVE Combat Federation and won at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain.“Judo set me up for MMA, which for me is the ultimate level of combat sports. Because of judo, I was skilful in ground fighting and grappling. I only had to learn the standing game and striking skills for MMA. Switching from judo was not difficult. MMA is a test of all-round skills, and one has to be a complete combat athlete,” she said.
Second Asian Games, different story
The Aichi-Nagoya Games represent a second chance for Tariyal. At Hangzhou in 2022, she competed in kurash, but the campaign did not produce the result she wanted.“Life has given me a second chance at the Asian Games. In Hangzhou, it did not go the way I wanted because kurash was not popular in India and my preparation was not adequate. This time, I am fully prepared for MMA,” Suchika told SAI Media.Supported by the sports ministry’s Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, she entered Aichi-Nagoya after winning back-to-back bronze medals at the Asian MMA Championships in January and May this year.Her rise has also made her a familiar face beyond the combat-sports arena. She has more than 300,000 Instagram followers and has featured on MTV Roadies and Prime Video’s India’s Ultimate Warrior. She has also been honoured by the President and Prime Minister for her international achievements and contribution to women’s empowerment.But for Tariyal, perhaps the biggest purpose of her journey is what it can mean to young women.“I really want to inspire young women to take up MMA. I will be very happy even if one girl looks at me and says, ‘If Suchika can, I can too.’ In modern times, women need to defend themselves, and parents must let their children take up combat sports. MMA gives you that complete package. And women have a strong mindset to play combat sports. They can bear pain and can be more focused. If a woman can bear the pain of childbirth, MMA is nothing,” she said.Now, with an Asian Games medal already assured, Tariyal is keeping her focus on the competition rather than the achievement.She admitted, “There will be no easy fights. I am not thinking of results now. I don’t want to put myself under the pressure of expectation. I just want to give my 100% for India. For any fighter, a medal is the ultimate achievement, and I am no different.”
