Tributes Pour in for Jaspal Rana: A Legend in Indian Shooting

The Indian sports community mourns the loss of Jaspal Rana, a former Asian Games gold medallist and esteemed coach. President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences, highlighting Rana's significant contributions to Indian shooting. With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, Rana's legacy includes 15 Commonwealth Games medals and a transformative role in coaching future stars. His dedication and achievements continue to inspire athletes across the nation. Discover more about his life and impact on Indian sports.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 12:36 IST

Condolences from the President

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her sorrow over the passing of Jaspal Rana, a former gold medallist at the Asian Games and a Dronacharya Award-winning coach. The 49-year-old athlete passed away in New Delhi on Friday after facing health issues. Hospital officials confirmed that he died at Max Hospital in Saket, South Delhi.

A Heartfelt Message

In a post shared on X, President Murmu stated, "The news of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji's demise is profoundly saddening. He was a distinguished shooter whose remarkable achievements brought honor to our nation. With numerous medals from international shooting events, he became a symbol of Indian sports. As both an athlete and a mentor, he significantly contributed to the growth of young talent. His unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence will inspire future generations of athletes. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and the sports community."

Health Struggles and Legacy

Rana reportedly fell ill while returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich on Thursday and subsequently underwent a medical procedure in Delhi. His death is a significant loss for Indian shooting, where he had a transformative impact as both a competitor and a coach.

A Decorated Career

Rana, one of India's most celebrated shooters, leaves behind an impressive legacy that spans over thirty years. He is recognized as India's most successful Commonwealth Games athlete, having won an astounding 15 medals—nine gold, four silver, and two bronze—across the 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 Games.

His accomplishments went beyond the Commonwealth Games, securing four gold medals and one silver at the Asian Games. Notably, he won a gold medal at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and achieved a remarkable three gold medals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Rana's determination was evident when he won three golds in Doha while battling a high fever, a feat celebrated in Indian shooting history.

Transition to Coaching

After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana dedicated himself to coaching and developing talent. As a junior national coach, he played a crucial role in identifying and nurturing future stars like Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary. Despite a public fallout with Bhaker prior to the Tokyo Olympics, they reconciled, with Rana significantly contributing to her success, which included two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

He received the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997 for his contributions to Indian shooting, and he was honored with the Dronacharya Award in 2020. At the time of his passing, Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol events.