Who Is Suchika Tariyal? From Budhana To Asian Games MMA Semifinal
Suchika Tariyal has become one of the surprise stories of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, assuring India of its first-ever medal in mixed martial arts after storming into the women’s Traditional MMA 60kg semifinals.
The 36-year-old from Budhana in Uttar Pradesh defeated Mongolia’s Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinal on Sunday. With both losing semifinalists guaranteed bronze, Tariyal’s place in the last four has secured a historic medal for India in MMA, which is making its Asian Games debut at Aichi-Nagoya.
Who Is Suchika Tariyal?
Tariyal’s sporting journey began with judo before she moved into ju-jitsu, kurash and eventually MMA.
The Uttar Pradesh athlete competed in more than 20 international competitions during the early part of her career and went on to become an eight-time national champion.
She won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Judo Championships before claiming gold at the 2019 edition. The same year, she also won gold at the South Asian Games.
Tariyal has also competed at several Asian Judo Championships and represented India in kurash at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where she was eliminated in the preliminary round.
World Champion And MMA Medallist
Tariyal has achieved success beyond judo as well. She is a world and Asian champion in ju-jitsu and was crowned Jiu-Jitsu world champion in 2024.
Her MMA journey began in 2017 with a professional debut that ended in a submission victory. BRAVE Combat Federation records show that she defeated Daizy Singh by armbar in the third round.
After a long gap from MMA, Tariyal returned to the sport in 2024. She signed with BRAVE Combat Federation in November that year and made her promotional debut against the Philippines’ Jhen Buzon at BRAVE CF 92, winning by second-round armbar submission.
She later fought Poland’s Kinga Jendrasik at BRAVE CF 104 in February 2026.
Tariyal has also won two bronze medals at the Asian MMA Championships, adding to a combat-sports résumé spanning multiple disciplines.
Tariyal Now Into Asian Games Semifinal
Her latest achievement came in Nagoya, where Tariyal controlled her quarterfinal against Mongolia’s Baigalmaa to win 2-0 and book her place in the semifinals.
The result guarantees India at least a bronze medal and makes Tariyal the first Indian athlete to win an Asian Games MMA medal.
Her semifinal will be played on Monday, giving the veteran athlete another opportunity to add to a career that has already taken her through judo, ju-jitsu, kurash and now MMA.
From a judo competitor in Uttar Pradesh to a world champion in ju-jitsu and now a historic Asian Games medallist in MMA, Tariyal’s journey has reached a landmark moment in Nagoya.
