Last-minute dash, chaos, weight cut attempt: How Varun Sanyal's nightmare unfolded
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This story is aggregated from The Times of India (timesofindia.indiatimes.com). Full reporting rights and copyright belong to the primary publisher.
Varun Sanyal’s Asian Games journey was marked by travel chaos, logistical hurdles, and an extreme weight cut that ended his campaign before it began. Despite the setback, he played a key support role as teammate Suchika Tara Devi won India’s first MMA medal at the Games.
I just remember that I finally hit the 30-minute mark and I stood up. And when you're dehydrated, you start seeing black, like you're starry-eyed. You get that head rush. I was completely out of it. I push the door to the sauna, and then there's this tiny bench, which I just flat out start lying down on, and I'm hyperventilating. Honestly, this whole thing feels like a fever dream.
I have cut weight before and made it to the tournaments, so that wasn't the challenge. I think it was the short time window accompanied with all the stress, travel, etc. Plus just not having anyone there.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/asian-games-2026/last-minute-dash-accomodation-chaos-weight-cut-attempt-how-varun-sanyals-asian-games-nightmare-unfolded/articleshow/134537547.cms
