Indian Shooting Legend Jaspal Rana Passes Away At 49, Sports World Mourns

New Delhi: Famous shooter and coach Jaspal Rana left us at the age of just 49. He breathed his last in Max Hospital, Delhi. He had undergone surgery just a few days ago, but no one thought that everything would end so soon. There is silence in the sports world.

How did your health deteriorate during the flight?

Jaspal Rana was returning with the Indian team from the ISSF World Cup held in Munich. The team did wonders there – won 2 gold, 2 silver. While returning, his health suddenly deteriorated in the flight itself. As soon as he landed in Delhi, he was taken to the hospital. During checkup, heart blockage was found. Doctors immediately inserted a stent, but fate had something else in store.

How was his journey as a coach?

Jaspal Rana was not only a shooter but also a Dronacharya Awardee coach. In February 2025, he was made the high-performance coach of the 25 meter pistol event. It was under him that the Indian team won the Munich World Cup. He taught the boys not only to aim but also to remain calm under pressure.

How much role did he play in Manu Bhaker's success?

He groomed shooters like Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, Chinki Yadav. He was Manu Bhaker's mentor for the last few years. Under his training, Manu created history by winning two bronze medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics. That journey of Manu was incomplete without Jaspal sir.

How did Jaspal Rana shine in the Asian Games?

He was one of the most successful players of Indian shooting. Total 8 medals in Asian Games – 4 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze. Think, at the age of just 18 he had won gold in 25 meter center fire pistol in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games. Since then the world started taking Indian shooting seriously.

Why is this such a big loss for the sports world?

Because Jaspal Rana did not just bring medals, he created medal bringers. Raised an entire generation. He was less of a coach and more of an elder brother. Used to scold and pat on the back on the practice range. With his departure, Indian shooting has lost a shooter, a coach and a mentor – all three at once.