Asian Games 2026 Shock: MMA Star Varun Sanyal Withdraws from Quarter‑Finals

It was supposed to be a big night for India’s lone male mixed‑martial‑arts representative at the Asian Games 2026 – Varun Sanyal had a bye in the prelims and was gearing up for a quarter‑final clash with Bahrain’s Mukhammad Nabiev. Then, out of the blue, he pulled out.

According to the Indian Olympic Association, the 27‑year‑old suffered “generalised cramps and body ache” while he was in the sauna on the cruise ship that housed the athletes. The discomfort was enough for the doctors to run a quick medical check‑up and precautionary blood tests – everything came back normal, but Sanyal still felt unfit for a combat sport the next morning.

After consulting with his coach, Varun made the difficult decision to withdraw on medical grounds. The official line was clear: he simply wasn’t in a condition to step into the ring safely.

There’s a slightly dramatic twist to the story. A fellow athlete from Nepal, who was staying nearby, heard Varun’s uneasy groans and actually woke him up. The Nepalese teammate called Varun’s family, and they rushed him to a hospital around 3 a.m. Thankfully, the doctors said there was nothing seriously wrong. By early morning, he was back on the cruise, stable and out of immediate danger, according to MMA Sports Federation of India president Nikhil Kundera.

Varun’s background adds another layer of interest. He is the son of Sanjiv Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, and his journey to the Asian Games has been anything but ordinary – from studying business to training in the MMA ring.

While Varun’s campaign ended prematurely, the Indian delegation still had cause for celebration. Earlier in the day, fellow MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal secured a place in the women’s traditional‑60 kg semifinals, keeping the nation’s hopes alive in the sport.

The incident is a reminder of how demanding weight‑cuts and intense training can be, especially when a simple sauna session turns into a health scare. For now, the focus shifts to supporting the remaining Indian athletes and hoping Varun recovers fully for future contests.