Indian MMA Fighter Claims Corruption After Controversial Semi-Final Loss

Nagoya, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : Indian mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Suchika Teriyaal has raised serious allegations of corruption following a disputed loss in the semi-finals of the Traditional 60-kilogram event in Nagoya on September 21, 2026. Despite dominating her match against Singapore's Hoon Toon, Suchika expressed her disappointment with the judges' decision.

After the match, she filed an appeal for arbitration, during which the judges reviewed the fight and ultimately declared it a draw. According to the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association (AMMA) rules, in the event of a draw, the lighter fighter is declared the winner. Suchika voiced her frustration over the controversial ruling, which resulted in her losing a medal and accused the officials of corruption. In an exclusive interview, she stated, “I believe she was meant to win because the federation is from Singapore.

Even if I had weighed slightly less, the decision would still have gone against me. They prioritized their country over the athlete. Corruption is everywhere; I witnessed it here today.” Suchika disagreed with the referee's decision, insisting she had the upper hand throughout the match. “I gave it my all. I don't agree with the outcome favoring her, as I felt I was winning. I performed well in both rounds, maintaining control. In the final minute, she was retreating while I was scoring.

I couldn't accept the decision, but the medal means a lot to me.” Originally from Uttarakhand but raised in Delhi, Suchika shared her family background, stating, “I have four sisters and one brother. My in-laws, including my mother-in-law and brother-in-law, have been very supportive. I have been married for 6-8 years, and they have never held me back from pursuing my goals. I want to dedicate this medal to my family.” Following the controversy, Suchika's coach, Nikhil Kunder, also addressed the arbitration outcome.

He explained that the review yielded no clear winner, resulting in a tie, which triggered the weight criteria rule. Kunder noted that Singapore had two options after the draw: pursue counter-arbitration or adhere to the AMMA's weight-based criteria. Teriyaal's claims have sparked discussions about the integrity of officiating in combat sports, raising questions about the need for transparency and fairness in future competitions.