Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal withdraws from Asian Games after sauna blackout

NEW DELHI: India’s MMA fighter Varun Sanyal has broken his silence after being forced to withdraw from the Asian Games following a blackout during a sauna session, admitting that his attempt to cut weight on his own was “quite foolish” but saying he felt he had no choice. Sanyal, who was due to compete in the men’s traditional 77kg event, passed out on Sunday while trying to make weight at his cruise-ship accommodation. He was subsequently declared medically unfit and could not compete.

“I came here on two weeks' notice, I found out relatively late. I obviously had a bunch of accommodation issues, and then I was all by myself on a weight cut. In retrospect, that was quite foolish of me to do,” Sanyal told PTI. “I had no choice but to do it by myself. That's a question, to be honest, I would like the public to ask, why was I alone? But, you know, things happen, life goes on. I don't want to sit here and feel sorry for myself.”

‘I am disappointed, but I’m more proud’

Sanyal, 27, was included in India’s Asian Games squad on September 2 after a late selection process. The MMA team travelled to Aichi-Nagoya without support staff, leaving Sanyal to manage his weight cut alone. “Yeah, absolutely, I am disappointed. I had wanted to participate and show off my skills. I have big aspirations for myself in this sport, and I have backed myself to do well. But yeah, I have moved on,” he said. “I think rather than focusing on what could happen, we focus on what did. And despite all the challenges that the federation has faced over the last year, we came out with a medal, it is huge. So, yeah, rather than being disappointed, I'm more proud of such a good result.” Suchika Tariyal won India’s first medal in MMA at the Games after losing in the semifinals of the women’s traditional 60kg event.

‘On two weeks’ notice, I found out’

Sanyal said he had qualified for the Asian Games in January but eventually shifted his attention towards his professional career amid uncertainty over the selection process. “I qualified for Asian Games back in January. But there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the qualification process. So, I decided to shift focus to my professional career. And I didn't want the slot to go empty. There was another athlete who had put his hands up and he qualified, or he went for the qualifications in Uzbekistan back in May,” he said. “However, he didn't rank high enough in Asia. I was fourth ranked in Asia. I was getting ready for a professional fight in the cage. And then, on two weeks' notice, I found out that my name was announced (for Asian Games). So, here I am.” Sanyal’s blackout came after he had earlier spoken about the logistical problems at the Games, including athletes having to wait eight to 10 hours without food before getting their rooms. MMA Sports Federation of India president Nikhil Kunder said Sanyal was found unconscious by a Nepalese athlete, who woke him and alerted officials.

“Fortunately, he was found in that state by an athlete from Nepal who woke him up. Varun was able to call me and we took him to hospital,” Kunder had told PTI. The Indian Olympic Association said Sanyal suffered “generalised cramps and body ache” while in the sauna. He underwent medical examinations and precautionary blood tests, which were normal, but withdrew after he did not feel fully fit to compete in a combat sport.