India made a strong statement at the third Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain from 23 to 25 October 2025 where Mixed Martial Arts was included as a medal event for the first time.

Seventeen year old Shriya Satam won the silver medal in the Girls Traditional MMA under 50 kilogram category. She is the first Indian female athlete to win a medal in Mixed Martial Arts at the Asian Youth Games. She qualified for the Asian Youth Games after securing a continental ranking of 3 at the AMMA Youth Championship held in Bahrain in August 2025. During the Games she won two important bouts against athletes from the United Arab Emirates and Kyrgyzstan to reach the final. She finished with the silver medal for India marking a significant achievement on the continental stage.

Sixteen year old Veer Bhadu earned the bronze medal for India. His victory marks the first ever medal for India in Mixed Martial Arts at the Asian Youth Games in the Boys category. He qualified through the AMMA Youth Championship where he achieved a continental ranking of 5. At the Asian Youth Games Veer recorded a strong win against an athlete from Thailand demonstrating composure and controlled technique throughout the bout. His performance reflects the emerging potential of India’s young MMA athletes.

Both athletes are known for their discipline, commitment and steady training approach. They are part of the MMA-SFI system which focuses on structured athlete development and long term progress.

The Indian Olympic Association provided full funding and official kits for the contingent. This ensured that both athletes could focus completely on preparation without financial pressure. The performances in Bahrain clearly show that support and investment in young athletes lead to results at the highest level.

MMA-SFI congratulates Shriya Satam and Veer Bhadu on their achievements. Their success stands as a proud moment for the country and an important step forward in the growth of MMA in India.