Why did Suchika Tariyal lose Asian Games 2026 MMA semifinal despite draw? Weight rule explained
File - Tariyal (right) was shattered by the result and wept bitterly on the mat once the final decision was announced. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
File - Tariyal (right) was shattered by the result and wept bitterly on the mat once the final decision was announced. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Suchika Tariyal settled for a bronze medal in the women’s traditional 60kg mixed martial arts event of the Asian Games here on Monday as Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo was awarded the semifinal win on account of her lesser weight after the two fighters drew the gruelling bout.
This was India’s maiden medal in the discipline that made its debut at the 20th edition of the Games. Tariyal, however, was shattered by the result and wept bitterly on the mat once the final decision was announced in Teo’s favour.
The bronze took India’s overall medal tally to six at the continental showpiece. Shooters have bagged four silver medals and one bronze so far.
The closely fought bout ended in a draw after regulation time, with Teo mounting an attack in the final few seconds. But Tariyal managed to get her opponent down just as the buzzer went off.
Teo had the better of the first period, but Tariyal fought back strongly in the second. With neither fighter able to establish a clear advantage, the bout went into a one-minute extra round.
Tariyal thought she had done enough to win, while Teo also celebrated at the final buzzer. The bout was initially ruled in Teo’s favour, but after an Indian challenge, the result was declared a draw, and the winner was then determined by the fighters’ morning weights.
What is the weight rule?
“After the Indian challenge, the result of the bout was declared drawn. The winner was then decided on the basis of the weights of competing athletes according to morning weigh-in,” MMA Sports Federation president Nikhil Kunde told PTI.
“Since, the Singaporean was lighter than Suchika by around 700 grams, she moved to the final. Suchika settled for bronze.” Teo was subsequently declared the winner 2-0 and advanced to the final, leaving Tariyal visibly upset.
The Indian broke down in tears and did not immediately go across to shake hands with her opponent or the referee, while her coach consoled her.
Despite the disappointment, the bronze is India’s first-ever medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games.
Published on Sep 21, 2026
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