New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- India was confirmed a historic first-ever Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) medal at the Asian Games 2026 after Suchika Tariyal defeated Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinals of the women's traditional 60kg category on Sunday in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. MMA is one of the six sports which are making its debut at the Games.

The 36-year-old Suchika, who had earlier appeared for television reality show Roadies, will either face Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo or Iran's Arezou Salimighalehtaki for a place in the gold medal match.

Like in boxing, a place in the semifinals assures an athlete of at least a bronze medal in MMA. The other five disciplines making its debut at Asian Games in 2026 are freestyle BMX, teqball, p...