MMA fighter Varun Sanyal withdraws from Asian Games after passing out during sauna session
India's Mixed Martial Arts fighter Varun Sanyal was forced to withdraw from the Asian Games without competing after exhaustion and dehydration caused him to pass out during a sauna session at his cruise ship accommodation here, officials said on Sunday.
The 27-year-old was trying to cut weight ahead of his men's traditional 77kg quarterfinal bout when the incident occurred. He was subsequently declared medically unfit to compete.
"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," MMA Sports Federation of India president Nikhil Kunder told PTI.
"There was nothing to be worried about. He was brought back to the cruise ship around 3:00am. He was hydrated, the doctors here are attending to him. He is stable, can speak and is out of trouble," he added.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA), in a statement, said Sanyal "suffered from generalised cramps and body ache while in the sauna last evening in his cruise accommodation".
"He underwent a medical examination and precautionary blood tests, which were normal. Despite rest, the following morning, he felt not fully fit to participate in a combat sport. After consultation with his coach, he withdrew on medical grounds," the IOA said.
"Of course, he will not play now. He is medically unfit," Kunder said.
Sanyal had earlier drawn attention during the Games after speaking about the logistical problems that left several athletes, including him, waiting for eight to 10 hours without food to get their rooms.
It was not immediately clear whether that ordeal had any role in his condition.
Sanyal is one of two Indian MMA fighters competing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and was a late addition to the squad.
While Sanyal's campaign ended before it began, teammate Suchika Tariyal advanced to the semifinals of the women's traditional 60kg event on Sunday, confirming India's first medal in the sport at the Games.
