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Asian Games 2026: Indian MMA athlete Suchika Taryal has questioned the result of her women's 60kg semifinal after returning to India. Suchika claimed that she was denied the opportunity to fight for the gold medal after a weight-related rule was used to determine the outcome of her closely contested bout against Singapore's Tia Hui Hoon.
Despite missing out on a place in the final, Suchika created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an Asian Games medal in mixed martial arts. She secured a bronze medal in the women's 60kg category.
Suchika Taryal Questions Asian Games MMA Semifinal Result
Suchika faced Singapore's Tia Hui Hoon in the semifinal of the women's 60kg MMA event. The contest was extremely close, with both athletes competing hard throughout the scheduled rounds.
The Singaporean fighter was initially declared the winner. India then challenged the decision by paying an appeal fee of $1,000.
Following the review, the bout was considered level. However, the final result was determined using the athletes' morning weigh-in figures.
According to Suchika's account, she was around 700 grams heavier than her Singaporean opponent during the morning weigh-in. The weight difference subsequently became a factor in determining the winner.
‘I Was Winning’: Suchika Reveals What Happened in the Semifinal
After returning to India on Thursday, Suchika spoke about the controversial semifinal result and expressed her disappointment.
She claimed that she was in a winning position during the fight and believed she should have been given another round to determine the winner.
Suchika said that if she had been given an additional round and lost on the basis of the fight, she would have accepted the defeat. However, she questioned why the weight-related rule was used to decide the outcome instead.
According to Suchika, the decision cost her the opportunity to compete for the gold medal.
700-Gram Weight Difference Became the Deciding Factor
The key point in the controversy was the difference between the athletes' morning weigh-in figures.
Suchika was reportedly around 700 grams heavier than Tia Hui Hoon. After the fight was considered level following the review, the applicable weight-related rule was used to determine the winner.
Suchika has criticised the rule and argued that another round would have been a more appropriate way to decide the closely fought contest.
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India Paid $1,000 to Challenge the Semifinal Decision
India did not accept the initial result and challenged the decision through an appeal.
A reported $1,000 appeal fee was paid before the bout was reviewed again. The review found that the fight had been evenly contested.
However, the result was ultimately decided using the morning weigh-in difference, with Tia Hui Hoon advancing to the final and Suchika receiving the bronze medal.
Suchika Says She Would Have Accepted Defeat After Another Round
Suchika made it clear that her objection was not simply about losing the semifinal.
She said she would have accepted the result if she had been given another round and then defeated by her opponent. Her main concern was that the fight was not decided by another round after the contest was found to be level.
She described the situation as unacceptable and maintained that she deserved the chance to compete for the gold medal.
Suchika Taryal Did Not Shake Hands After the Controversial Result
Following the announcement of the result, Suchika did not come forward for the formal post-fight proceedings and did not shake hands with her opponent.
Her reaction came as she disagreed with the way the semifinal result had been decided.
The incident has since become one of the talking points surrounding India's MMA campaign at the Asian Games 2026.
Asian Games 2026: Suchika Creates History With India’s First MMA Medal
Despite the semifinal setback, Suchika Taryal achieved a major milestone for Indian mixed martial arts.
Her bronze medal made her the first Indian athlete to win a medal in MMA at the Asian Games. The achievement marks an important moment for the sport in India.
At the same time, her comments after returning home have brought renewed attention to the rules and decision-making process involved in her semifinal.
What Happened to Suchika Taryal’s Gold Medal Opportunity?
Suchika believes the semifinal should have been decided through another round rather than the weight-related rule. However, the official outcome went in favour of Singapore's Tia Hui Hoon after the applicable rule was applied.
Her claim that the gold medal opportunity was taken away reflects her account and assessment of the semifinal. The official rules and decision process provide the necessary context for understanding the result.
For now, Suchika leaves the Asian Games with a historic bronze medal, while her comments have sparked discussion around the controversial semifinal decision.
Also Read: Asian Games 2026: India Wins 2nd Gold, Kamaljeet-Suruchi Break Record
