Varun Sanyal Eyes MMA Medal at Asian Games
Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal is aiming to win a medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The sport of Mixed Martial Arts will make its debut at the Asian Games, giving fighters a new opportunity to make history.
Varun is already among India’s promising MMA fighters. He won a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Championships in China and will be part of India’s two-member MMA team for the Asian Games. His recent international experience has increased expectations around his chances of winning another major medal.
Varun has an unusual background for a professional fighter. He completed a first-class honours degree in business management from Queen Mary University of London. However, his passion for combat sports gradually became stronger. His early interest came from watching professional wrestling promotions such as WWE and TNA.
His interest in competitive wrestling grew after watching Indian athletes achieve success on the international stage. The achievements of Olympic wrestlers such as Sushil Kumar inspired him to take combat sports more seriously. Over time, wrestling became an important part of his sporting journey before he eventually moved into MMA.
Varun grew up in Singapore and tried several sports during his childhood. He played cricket and football and also took part in powerlifting. His sporting journey later moved towards wrestling, which eventually helped him develop the skills needed for MMA.
His family background is also notable. His father, Sanjeev Sanyal, is an economist and an advisor to the Prime Minister of India. Varun’s great-granduncle, Sachindranath Sanyal, was a prominent freedom fighter. Despite coming from a family known for academics and public life, Varun decided to follow a very different career path through professional fighting.
Varun has credited his father for supporting him throughout his sporting journey. Even when he chose the physically demanding and challenging world of MMA, his family continued to encourage him.
However, reaching the Asian Games has not been easy. Varun has spoken about the difficulties and uncertainty surrounding the qualification process. According to him, the lack of clarity created additional challenges for athletes trying to secure their place in the team.
Despite these difficulties, Varun remains positive about the future of MMA in India. He believes the sport can grow significantly if fighters receive greater support, training opportunities and recognition. Increased interest from the Indian government could also help create better opportunities for athletes.
Varun has also acknowledged the contribution of Nikhil Kunder, president of the national MMA federation, for helping keep the sport active and developing in India.
The fighter believes India has the potential to produce strong MMA athletes in every weight category. With better infrastructure, coaching and financial support, he feels more Indian fighters could compete successfully at international events.
Varun’s journey from a business management graduate in London to an international MMA fighter is a story of determination and personal choice. At the 2026 Asian Games, he will have the opportunity to compete on a major stage and help give Indian MMA a strong start in its Asian Games debut.