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Asian Games MMA Fighter Varun Sanyal Disqualified After Sauna Collapse During Weight Cut
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News18•20-09-2026, 12:59
Asian Games MMA Fighter Varun Sanyal Disqualified After Sauna Collapse During Weight Cut
- •Indian MMA star Varun Sanyal was disqualified from the Asian Games after collapsing in a sauna during a weight cut, declared unfit before his 77kg quarter-final bout.
- •Medical documents indicate Sanyal experienced dizziness, lightheadedness, and muscle cramps 30 minutes after using the sauna due to dehydration and fluid restriction.
- •Sanyal, a late addition to the team and a bronze medallist at the Asian Championships, was considered a strong medal prospect in MMA's Asian Games debut.
- •He had previously voiced concerns about accommodation issues at the Asian Games, adding to a challenging campaign.
- •The other Indian MMA fighter, Suchika Tariyal, advanced to the semi-finals in her category, securing a medal for India.
Key Questions Answered
Varun Sanyal was disqualified after passing out in a sauna during his weight cut on Sunday, September 20, leading a doctor to declare him unfit for his 77kg quarter-final bout due to dehydration, dizziness, and muscle cramps.
While Varun Sanyal's campaign ended due to his medical disqualification, the other Indian MMA fighter, Suchika Tariyal, won her quarter-final bout in the women’s Traditional 60kg category to advance to the semi-finals and secure a medal for India.
Varun Sanyal holds a first-class degree in Business Management from Queen Mary University of London and earned an MBA before choosing to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.
