Emotional Tribute from Manu Bhaker Following Coach Jaspal Rana's Untimely Passing

Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has expressed profound sorrow over the sudden death of her coach, Jaspal Rana, who passed away at 49. Rana was a pivotal figure in her career, leading her to Olympic success. In a heartfelt tribute shared on social media, Manu described his passing as an 'irreparable loss.' Jaspal Rana, a celebrated athlete himself, won numerous medals and dedicated his life to coaching the next generation of shooters. His legacy continues to inspire many in the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 13, 2026, 12:48 IST

Manu Bhaker's Heartfelt Reaction

Manu Bhaker, a double Olympic medalist, expressed her deep sorrow over the unexpected passing of her coach, Jaspal Rana. Rana, who was only 49 years old, died from a heart attack early Friday morning, leaving the sports community in disbelief. He played a crucial role in shaping Manu's career, guiding her to win two medals at the Paris Olympics. Overcome with emotion, Manu visited Rana’s home and shooting academy in Dehradun’s Poundha to pay her last respects after his remains were brought there. In her tribute, she took to X, sharing memories with her coach and describing his death as an 'irreparable loss.'

अपूरणीय क्षति 💔🕉️🙏🏻🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/XiU38FFhmA
— Manu Bhaker🇮🇳 (@realmanubhaker) June 13, 2026

Legacy of Jaspal Rana

Who Was Jaspal Rana?

Jaspal Rana was a monumental figure in Indian sports history. He amassed an impressive 15 medals at the Commonwealth Games, the highest by any Indian athlete in this event, which included 9 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze medals across the 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 competitions. Additionally, he earned numerous medals at the Asian Games, highlighted by a gold at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and an outstanding three golds and one silver at the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Among his other significant accomplishments was winning a gold medal at the Junior World Shooting Championships in Milan in 1994, along with multiple golds at the Commonwealth Shooting Championships in 1995 and eight golds at the SAIF Games. After retiring from competitive shooting, he dedicated himself to nurturing future talent, taking charge of the junior pistol program in 2012. He mentored several prominent shooters, including Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, and Chinki Yadav, before guiding Manu Bhaker. In February 2025, the NRAI appointed him as the High-Performance Coach for the 25m pistol discipline. He remained actively involved in the national shooting program, working with top pistol shooters until his untimely death. In recognition of his contributions to Indian sports, he was awarded the Dronacharya Award in 2020, one of the highest accolades in the field.