Emotional Farewell: Manu Bhaker Mourns the Loss of Shooting Legend Jaspal Rana

The shooting community is in mourning following the sudden death of Jaspal Rana, a pivotal figure in Indian shooting. Manu Bhaker, who achieved historic success under his mentorship, expressed her grief at his passing. Rana's contributions to the sport are immense, with numerous medals to his name. His untimely demise has left a significant void in the world of shooting, prompting tributes from fellow athletes, including Abhinav Bindra. This article explores the profound impact Rana had on his students and the sport as a whole.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 22:35 IST

Manu Bhaker's Heartfelt Reaction

Manu Bhaker was deeply affected by the sudden passing of Jaspal Rana, breaking down at his home. Rana, a revered figure in shooting, had been instrumental in Bhaker's success, guiding her to historic achievements, including two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This made her the first Indian woman to secure an Olympic medal in shooting and the first Indian since independence to earn two medals in a single event. Bhaker's mother shared, "Manu is unable to express her feelings right now. We are currently in Dehradun, where she has just finished her World Cup trials, and the national camp is also taking place here."

Jaspal Rana's Untimely Death

Tragic News of Jaspal Rana

Jaspal Rana passed away from a heart attack. Despite experiencing discomfort, he continued to travel and was admitted to a hospital upon returning from Germany. Dr. Balbir Singh explained, "He arrived with an acute heart attack that had been developing for three days. He had been traveling and suffered from chest pain before reaching the hospital in critical condition. The artery that caused the heart attack was completely blocked, and his heart's pumping ability was severely compromised, leading to heart failure."

Rana's impressive career included 15 medals at the Commonwealth Games, comprising 9 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals, along with 4 gold medals at the Asian Games. Abhinav Bindra, India's only gold medalist in shooting, expressed his sorrow over Rana's death, stating, "I am heartbroken to learn of Jaspal Rana’s passing. He was my teammate and part of a generation that significantly influenced Indian shooting. His intensity and talent brought pride to our nation every time he competed. This is a tremendous loss for our sport. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, students, and all those whose lives he impacted."