Tired and frustrated, Indian MMA fighter sleeps-off in sauna, disqualified
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal's Asian Games campaign ended in unfortunate circumstances after he passed out in a sauna while trying to make weight. On Sunday, September 20, right before his 77kg quarter-final bout, Sanyal was declared unfit by the officials.
Indian Express reported that medical reports suggested that the mixed martial art athlete faced muscle cramps and dehydration, and was deemed unfit for the event. Revsportz reported that Sanyal was helping fellow Indian MMA fighter Suchika Tariyan before heading to the sauna for his weight cut. According to reports, the 27-year-old passed out around 1 am and was discovered by a Nepalese athlete, who helped take him to a doctor.
Indian officials, including MMA India president Nikhil Kunder, rushed to the scene to assist Sanyal. However, the doctor subsequently declared him medically unfit, ruling him out of his scheduled competition at the Asian Games. Varun Sanyal. (Photo: Insta) ASIAN GAMES AT FAULT?
The incident brought a disappointing end to a campaign that had already been physically and mentally demanding for Sanyal.
The Indian fighter had arrived in Nagoya after a long journey from London via Mumbai and Singapore, before becoming caught up in the accommodation chaos that disrupted the arrival of several athletes at the Games.
In an account published by The Indian Express, Sanyal had revealed that he spent more than 10 hours moving between different facilities after his accreditation failed to register in the system. He eventually got a room, but had to deal with another mix-up when two Indian athletes also claimed the same room.
By the time he finally got to sleep, Sanyal said his body was depleted. As a combat sport athlete, he also had the additional challenge of cutting weight and maintaining his nutrition ahead of his competition.
"My body was depleted when I fell down on the bed," Sanyal had said.
Sanyal was due to represent India in the men's traditional 77kg category of MMA at the Asian Games. His campaign, however, ended before he could step into the competition arena.HOW ASIAN GAMES MISMANAGED ATHLETES
The problems Sanyal faced were part of a wider logistical mess that affected several athletes arriving in Nagoya for the Asian Games.
Athletes from multiple contingents reportedly faced delays in getting their rooms after reaching the Games village, with some left waiting for hours as accommodation arrangements were sorted out. Sanyal’s own experience was particularly prolonged, with the Indian fighter moving between different facilities for more than 10 hours before finally being given a room.
The disruption came at an especially difficult time for athletes in combat sports, who have to carefully manage their recovery, nutrition and weight in the days leading up to competition.
For Sanyal, the long wait and uncertainty meant losing valuable time before his opening bout. By the time he finally reached his room, he said his body was already depleted.
"My body was depleted when I fell down on the bed," Sanyal had said.
His experience has also brought attention to the logistical difficulties faced by athletes at the Games, with accommodation delays adding another layer of difficulty to an already demanding competition schedule.
For Sanyal, those problems were followed by an even more unfortunate outcome. He never got the chance to begin his Asian Games campaign, being declared medically unfit before his scheduled bout.- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Sep 20, 2026 11:57 IST
