Mixed Martial Arts star Varun Sanyal, who had recently revealed that he was tired of the Asian Games accommodation issue, slept off in a sauna ahead of his fight on Sunday, September 20, and was eventually disqualified in a bizarre turn of events at the tournament.
On Sunday, September 20, Sanyal was declared unfit by the officials just before his 77kg quarter-final bout.
As per the medical document accessed by The Indian Express, the details section states that Sanyal experienced dizziness while undergoing the weight cut.
“Varun could not make weight as he was declared unfit by the doctor. The medical reports suggest that he had muscle cramps and was dehydrated also while cutting the weight,” a source said while speaking to The Indian Express.
“While undergoing weight loss, including food and fluid restriction, he experienced dizziness, lightheadedness and muscle cramps 30 minutes after taking a sauna,” the document said.
Sanyal is one of two Indian MMA fighters competing at the Asian Games and was a late addition to the team.
The other Indian MMA fighter, Suchika Tariyal, won her quarter-final bout in the women’s Traditional 60kg category to advance to the semi-finals and bag a medal for India.
As per reports, Sanyal was attended to by a fellow athlete and MMA India president, Nikhil Kunder, before being taken to a doctor, who declared him unfit to compete.
Sanyal is one of two Indian MMA fighters in the Asian Games contingent and had a challenging start to his campaign at the continental event. Like multiple other athletes, he faced difficulties bagging accommodation upon arriving in Japan.
A bronze medallist at the Asian Championships in China in January, Sanyal had entered the Asian Games as a strong medal prospect in MMA, which is making its debut at the continental event.
Sanyal holds a first-class degree in Business Management from Queen Mary University of London. His early interest in combat sports was sparked by WWE and TNA.
