Asian Games 2026: PM Modi hails Suchika Tariyal's MMA bronze, women's cricket gold
Synopsis
Suchika Tariyal became the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in MMA, while Harmanpreet Kaur's cricket side defended their gold — handing India its first top podium finish of the Aichi-Nagoya edition. PM Modi personally hailed both achievements as historic, spotlighting two disciplines at very different ends of India's sporting journey.
Key Takeaways
Suchika Tariyal won a bronze in the women's traditional -60kg MMA category at the 2026 Asian Games — India's first-ever medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games.
Tariyal, a former national-level judoka, defeated Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinals to secure the medal.
The Indian women's cricket team , led by Harmanpreet Kaur , beat Sri Lanka in the final to claim gold — India's first gold of this edition.
The cricket team successfully defended their Asian Games title , repeating their win over Sri Lanka from the previous edition's final.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted separate congratulatory messages for both achievements on 22 September 2026 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 22 September 2026 congratulated Indian mixed martial arts athlete Suchika Tariyal and the Indian women's cricket team for their podium finishes at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Tariyal scripted history as the first Indian to win an Asian Games medal in MMA, while the Harmanpreet Kaur-led cricket side claimed the tournament's first gold for India in this edition.
Tariyal's Historic MMA Bronze
Suchika Tariyal secured a bronze in the women's traditional -60kg category, becoming the first Indian athlete to stand on the Asian Games podium in mixed martial arts. A former national-level judoka, Tariyal defeated Mongolia's Altanchimeg Baigalmaa 2-0 in the quarterfinals to guarantee herself at least a bronze, before finishing with the third-place medal. The Prime Minister's Office noted the feat as 'a historic achievement for India,' adding that her 'dedication and zeal' made the accomplishment especially significant.
Women's Cricket Team Defends Asian Games Gold
The Indian women's cricket team delivered what the Prime Minister described as a 'commanding performance' to beat Sri Lanka in the final — a repeat of the previous edition's decider — successfully defending their title. The gold was India's first top podium finish of the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya edition. Modi called it a 'splendid triumph' and said the victory would 'inspire countless young cricketers across the country.'
What PM Modi Said
The Prime Minister's Office posted two separate congratulatory messages on social media on Tuesday. On Tariyal, Modi wrote: 'A historic achievement for India! Congratulations to Suchika Tariyal on winning a Bronze in Mixed Martial Arts and securing India's first-ever Asian Games medal in this field. Her achievement is especially significant, highlighting her dedication and zeal. Best wishes for many more successes ahead.' On the cricket team, he wrote: 'A splendid triumph for Indian cricket! Heartiest congratulations to our Women's Cricket Team on winning the Gold medal at the Asian Games. It was a commanding performance at the Games, marked by confidence, skill and wonderful teamwork. This victory also brings India its first Gold of this edition of the Games.'
India's Medal Campaign at Aichi-Nagoya
The two results represent a significant opening spell for India at the 2026 Asian Games. Tariyal's bronze is a landmark for a sport that has grown rapidly in India but had never before produced an Asian Games medallist. The women's cricket gold, meanwhile, reinforces India's dominance in the women's game at the continental level, with the team now back-to-back Asian Games champions. Both achievements are expected to fuel further investment in their respective disciplines ahead of the next major multi-sport cycle.
Point of View
Two very different storylines. Tariyal's bronze is genuinely pioneering — MMA has struggled for institutional backing in India, and a continental podium finish without the machinery of an established sports federation behind it speaks to individual tenacity over systemic support. The women's cricket gold, by contrast, is expected territory: India now owns this event. What neither result should obscure is the structural question of depth — one MMA medallist in a discipline with a global talent pool, and a cricket gold won in a tournament where most serious MMA and cricket nations do not compete. Modi's congratulations are warranted, but the larger test is whether these moments translate into sustained funding and grassroots infrastructure, or remain isolated headlines.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Suchika Tariyal and what did she win at the 2026 Asian Games?
Suchika Tariyal is an Indian mixed martial arts athlete and former national-level judoka who won a bronze medal in the women's traditional -60kg MMA category at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. She became the first Indian athlete ever to win an Asian Games medal in mixed martial arts.
How did the Indian women's cricket team perform at the 2026 Asian Games?
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, won the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. The victory also served as a successful title defence, as India had beaten Sri Lanka in the final of the previous edition as well.
What did PM Modi say about India's Asian Games 2026 medals?
PM Modi issued two separate congratulatory messages on 22 September 2026. He called Tariyal's MMA bronze 'a historic achievement for India' and praised the women's cricket gold as a 'splendid triumph,' noting it brought India its first gold of this edition of the Games.
Is this India's first-ever Asian Games medal in MMA?
Yes. Suchika Tariyal's bronze in the women's traditional -60kg category at the 2026 Asian Games is India's first-ever medal in mixed martial arts at the Asian Games.
Who did India beat to win the women's cricket gold at the 2026 Asian Games?
India beat Sri Lanka in the final of the women's cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. It was a repeat of the previous edition's final, meaning India successfully defended their Asian Games women's cricket title.
