Asian Games 2026: Indian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) player Varun Sanyal's wait to enter the Asian Games ended even before the competition started. He was declared unfit to play in the medical examination before the quarter-finals of the 77 kg category. With this his campaign in this competition ended.
Read :- Asian Games 2026: Elavenil Valarivan won two silver medals in 10 meter air rifle, great start
condition deteriorated during weight loss
Varun was trying to reach the prescribed weight for the competition. During this time, he reduced his food intake and tried to lose weight by taking sauna. According to reports, about half an hour after the sauna session, he started feeling dizzy, weak and complained of muscle cramps. After some time he became unconscious.
He was given medical help and after examination he was found to have mild dehydration. A Nepalese athlete saw Varun in that condition and helped him reach the medical team. Later the doctors did not consider him fit to participate in the competition.
Varun is the son of Sanjeev Sanyal
Read:- Team India is assured of a medal in the Asian Games, made it to the finals by defeating Bangladesh by 114 runs.
Varun Sanyal is a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council and son of economist Sanjeev Sanyal. MMA will be included as a medal event for the first time at the 2026 Asian Games and Varun was among the players representing India in the 77 kg category. In January 2026, he also won a bronze medal in the Asian Championships.
After being out due to medical reasons, now Varun will not be able to compete in the Asian Games. India will not be represented in the competition in his place.