Tribute to Jaspal Rana: A Legacy in Indian Shooting

Jaspal Rana, a celebrated figure in Indian shooting, has passed away at the age of 49, leaving a profound impact on the sport. Known for his remarkable achievements, including multiple gold medals at the Asian Games, Rana's legacy extends beyond his competitive success. He was a dedicated coach who emphasized discipline and played a pivotal role in nurturing young talent. His journey was marked by both triumphs and challenges, including a controversial coaching stint leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. As the shooting community mourns his loss, Rana's contributions and character are remembered fondly by those who knew him. Explore the life and legacy of this remarkable athlete.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 12:45 IST

Jaspal Rana Passes Away at 49

Jaspal Rana, a prominent figure in Indian shooting, has sadly passed away in Delhi. His death occurred on Friday following a medical procedure at Max Hospital in Saket, where doctors inserted a stent due to a detected blockage.

The shooting community is in shock over the loss of the 49-year-old athlete, who was a key player in the success of the Indian pistol team.

Rana's journey in shooting began with remarkable achievements, including a gold medal at the 1994 World Shooting Championships and another at the Asian Games in the center fire pistol event.

His career reached new heights during the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, where he secured three gold medals. Despite his success, Rana participated in only one Olympic Games, in Atlanta 1996, a fact he often reflected upon.

He once shared, 'When I started shooting, we lacked awareness about many aspects. The absence of discipline and quality coaching hindered our consistency.'

Discipline became a fundamental aspect of his coaching approach after he was appointed to lead India's junior shooting program by the then president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Raninder Singh. His efforts quickly bore fruit, with athletes like Manu Bhaker and Anish Bhanwala rising to become junior World Champions.

Rana was known for his strict adherence to discipline. He once reprimanded Bhanwala for not following the camp's rules, which included wearing a properly tucked-in India T-shirt. His uncompromising nature led to several disagreements with his trainees, including Manu, prior to the Tokyo Olympics.

Jaspal advocated for Chinki Yadav's inclusion in the Olympic squad, believing that Manu, despite being the World No. 1, should not compete in three events as a first-time Olympian. This disagreement became public, leading to Manu requesting a change in her coaching staff, resulting in Ronak Pandit taking over. The Tokyo Olympics ended in disappointment for the shooting team, with no medals, and the NRAI publicly blamed Jaspal for the outcome.

This situation weighed heavily on him, but he remained patient. A year before the 2024 Paris Olympics, Manu sought his guidance again as her performance began to decline. Their collaboration led to success in Paris, where Manu won two bronze medals, a moment Jaspal described as a relief, lifting the burden he felt from the Tokyo Games.

Despite being labeled as moody and temperamental, Jaspal was often called upon during challenging times. His true character was highlighted by former World No. 1 double trap shooter Ronjan Sodhi, who remarked, 'Jaspal was a dear friend and a wonderful human being. Many misunderstood him, but those who knew him recognized his greatness.'