This bronze is more than my life, I can now die happily: MMA fighter Suchika

"I can now die happily."

For 36-year-old Suchika Tariyal, India's first Asian Games medal in Mixed Martial Arts is worth more than words can convey.

Suchika settled for a bronze in the women's traditional 60kg event after Singapore's Hui Hoon Teo was awarded their fiercely contested semifinal on the basis of her lower weight following a draw.

The result left Suchika devastated, but the medal still carried immense significance for a sportsperson who has spent years battling setbacks, financial difficulties and missed opportunities.

"This is more than my life. I will never forget that I came to Japan and got a medal for my country. I can now happily die," Suchika, who hails from Kiloi village in Haryana's Rohtak district, told PTI in an exclusive interaction after her bout.

The medal was particularly special because of her previous near-misses on the international stage.

"I have played in Commonwealth Games (2022) in judo, where I missed the fight of the bronze. So, I wanted to get a medal for my country, so that people know me," she said.

Suchika is also a world champion in Jiu-Jitsu and competed in kurash at the Asian Games, but returned without a medal.

"I am also a world champion in Jiu-Jitsu. And I also played Asian Games in Kurash, but I could not get a medal there. Then I got a second chance to represent myself here. I worked very hard for it," she said.

Her sporting journey has been inspired by another Indian fighter who broke barriers on the world stage -- Olympic bronze medallist and six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom.

"I adore Mary Kom didi since my childhood. I was also in the national camp for judo in Bhopal, maybe in 2009-10, she looked so cool with her dress and the way she conducts herself. She is my idol," Suchika said.

She has never spoken to Kom personally but hopes to get that opportunity someday.

"I have never talked to her personally. If I get a chance, I would like to talk to her," she said.

Suchika's path to the Asian Games podium was also marked by financial struggles. Her father is a retired government servant and her mother a homemaker.

"I took unpaid leave from my department for training. Financially, I had a lot of problems. My husband has supported me financially, and she pushed me this far. So, I would like to dedicate this medal to my parents and to my husband," she said.

The bronze had initially been expected to mark the end of her MMA career. Suchika had planned to retire after the Asian Games, believing she was getting too old to continue.

But Monday's performance changed her mind.

"I had thought of quitting MMA after the Asian Games. I am old now, so I wanted to stop playing. But still, I feel that I can do it. Looking at today's performance, I feel that I can do it," she said.

She also plans to continue her professional career and could return to the BRAVE promotion for her next bout.

"I do pro-fighting in 'Brave'. Maybe, I will participate in the next fight in 'Brave'," she said.

Suchika, however, believes the semifinal could have had a different outcome had the Indian team been accompanied by a coach.

India had only two MMA fighters at the Asian Games, and she rued the absence of a coach with the team.

"Our coaches supported us with their expenses. They did not get any support from the government. I feel that if there was a coach with us today, I would have been able to reduce my weight a little. And maybe I could have won," she said.