Tribute to Jaspal Rana: A Legend in Indian Shooting Passes Away
Jaspal Rana: A Remarkable Legacy
File image of one of India's finest pistol shooters, Jaspal Rana (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi, Jun 12: Jaspal Rana, one of India's most celebrated pistol shooters, has sadly passed away at the age of 49 after facing serious heart complications. He was renowned not only for his shooting prowess but also for his successful transition into coaching, where he notably guided Manu Bhaker to win two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics.
On June 1, Rana was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket due to chest pain, where doctors discovered blockages in his arteries. He succumbed to his condition in the early hours of Friday, as confirmed by hospital sources.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating that Rana's death represents a significant loss for Indian sports. In a heartfelt social media post, he remarked, "Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji. His passing is a profound loss to the world of Indian sports."
Modi highlighted Rana's remarkable contributions to the nation through his achievements in shooting and his dedication to mentoring young athletes. He praised Rana's commitment to excellence and discipline, extending his thoughts to Rana's family and the sporting community during this difficult time.
Rana is survived by his wife, Reena, their daughter Devanshi, son Yuvraj, father Narayan Singh Rana, and siblings Sushma and Subhash.
His health issues began during the return flight of the Indian team from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. Upon landing in New Delhi, he was hospitalized and underwent a procedure to install a stent for a cardiac blockage. Despite initial stabilization, his health worsened.
According to Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Rana passed away late Thursday night in a Delhi hospital. He was serving as the high-performance coach for Indian pistol shooters at the time.
Rana was known for his outspoken nature and passion for shooting, having won his first national gold medal at just 12 years old. His international career took off with gold medals in the 25m event at the 1994 Commonwealth and Asian Games.
His crowning achievement came during the 2006 Asian Games, where he won three golds and a silver, equaling a world record in the process.
After a successful shooting career, Rana made significant contributions to the sport as a coach, particularly mentoring Manu Bhaker, who made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also trained young talents like Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, and Chinki Yadav.
In February of the previous year, the NRAI appointed him as the High-Performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline. His dedication to nurturing the next generation of shooters earned him the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020, following his earlier accolades of the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997.
Rana remains India's most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete, boasting 15 medals, including nine golds, across four editions.