A Journey of Grit: Suchika Tariyal Makes History in MMA
For every athlete, there’s a defining moment that sets their path. For Suchika Tariyal, that moment arrived at just 12 years old when she faced an unsettling incident of eve-teasing. Instead of letting it bring her down, she found strength in the experience, motivating her to take up judo. Today, she stands proud as India’s first MMA medallist at the Asian Games.
Who is Suchika Tariyal?
Suchika’s sports journey kicked off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, later leading her to the Dada Dev Mandir Centre in Palam and then to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Bhopal. Choosing to pursue sports wasn’t easy, especially with her family worried about the challenges of a young girl competing in various locations.
Despite the obstacles, Suchika persevered, eventually becoming a prominent judoka. She represented India in over 20 international events and won the National Judo Championship eight times, along with numerous medals in the global arena.
Some of her key achievements in judo include gold medals at the 2019 Commonwealth Judo Championships and the 2019 South Asian Games, as well as a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships. Suchika also made her mark at several Asian Judo Championships and participated in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where she gained invaluable experience.
However, her journey didn’t end with judo. In 2024, she transitioned to Ju-Jitsu, where she secured gold in the -63kg category at the JJIF Ju-Jitsu World Championships. This laid the groundwork for her entry into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Interestingly, Suchika had already dipped her toes into MMA back in 2017, debuting with a win. However, she stepped back for several years to focus on her judo and Ju-Jitsu career. In late 2024, she returned to the MMA scene after signing a multi-fight contract with BRAVE Combat Federation, competing in the women’s strawweight division. She made her comeback with a victory at BRAVE CF 92 in Bahrain.
Off the mat, Suchika has also pursued a career in public service, starting as a Head Constable with the CISF and later becoming a Junior Coach in the Department of Sports, Haryana.
Facing Setbacks
Suchika’s road wasn’t always smooth. A knee injury and personal challenges nearly pushed her away from judo for good. “I had given up. I thought, ‘Alright, this is enough,’” she shared. However, support from fellow athletes like Pooja Tomar and ONE Championship fighter Himanshu Kaushik reignited her competitive spirit.
After successfully competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in judo and the 2023 Asian Games in kurash, she achieved another milestone by becoming a Jiu-Jitsu World Champion in 2024. Yet, changes in administrative structures soon threatened her progress.
The most significant setback came when the jiu-jitsu team for the 2026 Asian Games was dissolved, forcing Suchika to reconsider her path. Rather than retreat, she opted for MMA trials, where she faced even tougher challenges. The criteria for qualification changed midway, but she persevered. Personally funding her trip to the Asian Championships, she returned with two bronze medals for India, which helped her regain momentum and secure government support.
A Moment of Glory
On Sunday, Suchika Tariyal made her mark in Indian MMA history by advancing to the semifinals in the women’s traditional -60kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Her impressive victory of 2-0 in the quarterfinals against Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa guaranteed her at least a bronze medal.
As she prepares for the semifinal, where her opponent will emerge from a match between Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo and Iran’s Arezou Salimighalehtaki, Suchika stands just one win away from a chance at the Asian Games final, with hopes of elevating the color of her historic medal.
Suchika’s journey is a testament to resilience, showing that with determination and support, one can turn challenges into stepping stones for greatness.
