Indian MMA fighter Varun Sanyal has opened up on his withdrawal from the Asian Games. Sanyal, who was set to compete in the men’s 77kg category, withdrew after blacking out during a solo sauna session while cutting weight. “I didn’t have any officials with me. I had to cut weight alone.
It was on short notice. So, it is what it is. I wouldn’t recommend that anyone just randomly cuts weight, let alone do it by themselves,” Varun told. The fighter said he also faced accommodation issues, taking around 8 hours to check into the cruise ship accommodation, while his coaches were not allowed to stay due to pass-related issues.
Varun suffered generalised cramps and body ache while in the sauna. Though medical examination and blood tests were normal, he felt unfit the next morning and withdrew on medical grounds, the Indian Olympic Association said. He also praised Suchika Tariyal for becoming India’s first MMA medallist at the Asian Games.
