Friday, June 12, 2026, marked a sad day for Indian shooting as Jaspal Rana, a multiple Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallist, passed away at 49. Rana was one of India's greatest athletes, and his accomplishments are unparalleled. He gave back to the sport that made him a household name by coaching some of India's most talented shooters.
Rana was instrumental in shaping the golden age of Indian shooters, and his coaching stint was marked by stories of discipline and high standards. He began coaching young shooters around 2012 and made it his mission to establish training systems and nurture grassroots talent.
Under Rana's guidance, young talent such as Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, and Chinki Yadav flourished. He was appointed as a high-performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline in February 2025. Rana's training methods focused on shaping complete athletes rather than improving their scores in global events.
His work with Manu Bhaker was particularly notable, as she became the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal and the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single Olympic Games. Rana also played a key role in shaping Saurabh Chaudhary's career, who won World Cup titles and Asian Games gold.
Rana's legacy extends beyond medals and rankings. His coaching philosophy reflects the mindset of a former champion who understood everything about elite sport and what it takes to become a winner on the biggest stage. His sudden death has left a huge void in Indian shooting and sports in general.
