Who is Varun Sanyal? Meet India's medal hope in MMA at Asian Games 2026
Two MMA fighters will represent India at the Aichi-Nagoya Games
Varun Sanyal is part of India’s 503-member contingent for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, where athletes will compete for gold in 35 sports. He is one of two athletes representing the nation in traditional mixed martial arts (MMA).
Sanyal will compete in the men’s 77 kg traditional MMA event at the 20th Asian Games. The 23-year-old fighter has enjoyed a remarkable rise in the MMA world in recent years. A decorated international medallist, he has also moved to the professional MMA circuit with his sights set on the UFC.
However, the youngster’s immediate focus will be on helping India clinch their first-ever Asian Games medal in MMA. So far, the country has managed just a medal at the Asian Youth Games, but none at the senior Asian Games.
Varun Sanyal’s career so far
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Born to famous economist Sanjeev Sanyal and raised in Singapore, Varun was introduced to MMA during national service. He graduated from Queen Mary University of London in England with a first-class honours degree in business, but his long-term goal was to make a career in MMA.
Sanyal made his amateur MMA debut in July 2022. He won the Indian National Amateur Championships 2023, earning a place at the IMMAF World Championships. There, he defeated South African champion Liam Schulze and African champion Pedro Calembela. However, he lost to eventual world champion Ze Machado.
Despite suffering a staph infection that disrupted his preparations, he reached the semi-finals of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Championship in Luzhou, China, and clinched a bronze medal. This helped secure his spot in India’s Asian Games 2026 squad.
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Sanyal made his professional MMA debut at Warriors Dream Series 17 in Mumbai in June 2026. He secured a first-round submission win over Karan Nitin Chauhan in their lightweight bout. As a result, Sanyal has a 1-0 professional record.
Sanyal, who trains at Warriors Cove in Gurgaon and also in England with UFC professionals, will aim for similar success in the men’s 77 kg event at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. The other member of the MMA squad is Suchika Tariyal, who will compete in the women’s 60 kg event.
How many MMA fighters are representing India at the Asian Games 2026?
India are sending two MMA fighters – Varun Sanyal (men’s 77 kg) and Suchika Tariyal (women’s 60 kg).
How many MMA medals has India won at the Asian Games so far?
India has won zero senior MMA medals at the Asian Games.
When will the Asian Games 2026 take place?
Asian Games 2026 will be held in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026.
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