New Delhi, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Varun Sanyal will carry an unusual blend of sporting influences and a growing competitive record into the historic MMA competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, where the sport will make its debut as a medal event.
A two-time national champion and bronze medallist at the Asian AMMA Championships in China in January 2026, Varun will compete in the men’s traditional 77kg category. He is part of India’s two-member MMA contingent for the Games alongside Suchika Tariyal Hooda, who represented India in kurash at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou and will compete in the women’s 60kg category.
Varun’s journey into combat sports began with an unlikely combination of WWE, TNA and cinema. The Rocky Balboa story also left a lasting impression on him, while the success of Indian wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt at the 2012 London Olympics further strengthened his interest in martial arts.
“Seeing our Olympians succeed really drew me towards martial arts and eventually towards MMA. MMA is, in many ways, the most primal form of sport and competition, so I was naturally drawn to it,” Varun told SAI Media.
He also views MMA as a life skill, saying it has taught him to defend himself, remain composed under pressure and make decisions in physically demanding situations.
A professional fighter and first-class business management honours graduate from Queen Mary University of London, Varun grew up in Singapore and participated in cricket, football, athletics and squash. He later took up powerlifting before progressing to wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA.
His father, economist and author Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, has supported his sporting journey from an early age.
Varun said his father initially took time to accept MMA but has since become deeply interested in the sport and continues to support him.
His road to the Asian Games, however, was complicated by uncertainty over the qualification process. After winning the MMA SFI Nationals in 2025, Varun qualified for the Asian AMMA Championships in China, where his bronze medal placed him in the Asian ranking system.
However, he said there was little clarity initially over who would qualify for the Asian Games. He therefore focused on his professional career before receiving confirmation of his selection only two weeks before the Games.
“Preparing mentally and physically for something of this magnitude in such a short period has been quite a challenge. But I suppose that’s part of sport. That’s what sport is,” he said.
Varun believes MMA’s inclusion in the Asian Games could significantly raise the sport’s profile in India, although he stressed the need for greater institutional support for athletes.
He acknowledged the growing interest of the government in MMA and thanked Raphe mPhibr for sponsoring and supporting his journey. He also praised national federation president Nikhil Kunder and others for personally funding competitions, training and other expenses to sustain the sport.
Varun said he would like greater government interest to translate into direct support for athletes.
With MMA now part of the Asian Games programme, he sees an opportunity to create a broader pathway for Indian fighters.
“We now have two Indian athletes who have qualified and are ranked in the top six in Asia. I don’t see why there can’t be more,” he said, adding that India could eventually fill all MMA weight categories just as it does in sports such as wrestling and boxing.
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