Renowned pistol shooter and India's high performance coach Jaspal Rana has passed away at the age of 49. Rana had undergone a heart procedure recently after experiencing chest pain and discomfort during the ISSF World Cup in Munich. He died in Max Hospital, Saket.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolence message on the death of the shooting legend, calling it a 'profound loss to the world of Indian sports'. Rana had brought immense glory to the nation through his extraordinary achievements in shooting and had also made a remarkable contribution as a mentor, guiding young athletes with great dedication.
His unwavering commitment to excellence, discipline, and service to the sporting world earned him immense admiration. Rana was a giant of Indian sport, inspiring generations with his achievements and legacy. He won eight Asian Games and 15 Commonwealth Games medals in his glittering career as a 25m centre fire specialist.
Post his playing career, he contributed to the growth of Indian shooting by steering NRAI's junior programme, where he coached, mentored, and groomed a number of world-class talents such as Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, Chinki Yadav, among others. Rana's crowning glory arrived at Paris Olympics in 2024 when he guided Manu to a historic double bronze.
