Suchika Tariyal did not lose the women's traditional 60kg mixed martial arts semifinal against Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo at the Asian Games on Monday. But the 36-year-old history-making Indian was told she had t…

Suchika Tariyal did not lose the women’s traditional 60kg mixed martial arts semifinal against Singapore’s Hui Hoon Teo at the Asian Games on Monday. But the 36-year-old history-making Indian was told she had to accept a loss because she weighed 700 grams more than her opponent after the contest ended in a draw.Sounds unfair, but that is the deciding factor according to the rules of the sport. But, for someone who ends up on the wrong side of the rules, just like Suchika did on Monday, the result sure feels harsh.“I was clearly dominating throughout the fight. I refused to agree with the result. That’s why I cried,” Suchika told DH about her emotional outburst on the mat after the referee lifted Teo’s hand as the winner.India did challenge the decision and the video of the bout was reviewed. However, even after the review, the fight was declared a draw.“There is nothing I can do now. I have an Asian Games medal and it feels good. I wish I could change the colour of the medal but it wasn’t meant to be. I’m happy nonetheless.”Suchika’s medal was a first for India in MMA at the continental bash. Interestingly, the fighter made her MMA debut in 2017 before taking a seven-year break to get back to judo and jiu-jitsu that she started as a child. She is an eight-time national judo champion and also competed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as a judoka in the 57kg category where she narrowly missed a podium finish.“After all these years of being a judoka, the success in MMA feels complete. My family has gone through a lot but supported me throughout. This medal is for them,” said the fighter from Kiloi village in Haryana’s Rohtak district.260922-2-1143590122

Source: Deccan Herald