Varun Sanyal was found unconscious during a sauna session on the cruise ship Costa Serena while trying to cut his weight for the quarterfinal fight.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
MMA athlete Varun Sanyal, a late addition to the Indian squad for the Asian Games, was on Sunday forced to withdraw after being declared medically unfit for competition.
The 27-year-old, India’s entry in the traditional 77kg and one of two MMA athletes from the country, was found unconscious during a sauna session on the cruise ship Costa Serena while trying to cut his weight for the quarterfinal fight.
He was assessed by medical personnel, diagnosed as severely exhausted and dehydrated and declared unfit to compete. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said in a statement: “Sanyal suffered from generalised cramps and body ache while in the sauna last evening… He underwent 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.”
Sanyal had earlier pointed out the accommodation chaos at the Games, including waiting for almost 10 hours to get rooms.
Published – September 20, 2026 06:33 pm IST
