Culture & Entertainment · Singapore Bureau
India's MMA fighter ruled medically unfit over weight concerns
Mixed martial arts competitor Varun Sanyal has been declared medically unfit ahead of his quarter-final bout in Nagoya, marking another weight-cut setback for Indian athletes. The development echoes the disappointment faced by wrestler Vinesh Phogat two years ago when she missed Olympic qualification by 100 grams.
LSN Singapore ·
Varun Sanyal's withdrawal from the men's traditional 77-kilogram quarter-final on Sunday represents a fresh blow to India's combat sports contingent, coming just two years after the high-profile weight-cut crisis that derailed Phogat's Olympic dreams at the Tokyo Games.
The medical determination to rule Sanyal unfit underscores the persistent risks associated with aggressive weight management protocols in combat sports, where athletes often attempt rapid dehydration to compete in lower weight categories.
Phogat's near-miss in 2021, when she fell short of the Olympic wrestling qualification by a single kilogram before being disqualified, had drawn international attention to the dangers and pressures of weight-cutting practices. That incident sparked broader discussions about athlete welfare and the regulations governing weight management in competitive sports.
The circumstances of Sanyal's case add to concerns about the adequacy of medical oversight during weight-cut procedures in India's combat sports programmes. Sunday's decision in Nagoya comes amid India's broader participation in international MMA competitions as the sport gains greater recognition across Asia.