Tragic Loss: Jaspal Rana, Pistol Shooting Legend and Coach, Passes Away at 49

The shooting world mourns the loss of Jaspal Rana, a legendary pistol shooter and coach, who passed away at just 49 years old. Known for his remarkable achievements, including coaching Manu Bhaker to Olympic success, Rana's contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark. His untimely death has shocked the community, as he was actively involved in nurturing the next generation of shooters. Discover more about his incredible journey and the impact he made in the world of shooting.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 11:18 IST

A Shocking Departure

New Delhi: Jaspal Rana, a celebrated figure in Indian pistol shooting, has tragically passed away at the age of 49 due to heart complications. He was instrumental in coaching Manu Bhaker, leading her to win two historic bronze medals at the Paris Olympics.

Rana leaves behind his wife, Reena, along with his daughter Devanshi, son Yuvraj, father Narayan Singh Rana, and siblings Sushma and Subhash.

As reported by the president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Rana succumbed to his health issues at a hospital in Delhi on Thursday night.

His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the shooting community.

Recently, he had undergone a medical procedure after experiencing health issues during the Indian team's return from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany.

Upon arriving in New Delhi, he was hospitalized and had a stent placed to address a cardiac blockage. Despite initial signs of stability, his health took a turn for the worse.

Rana was actively serving as the high-performance coach for Indian pistol shooters.

Known for his candid personality and deep passion for shooting, Rana was a remarkable talent, winning 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.

Notably, the Asian Games gold was India's first in 16 years, following Raja Randhir Singh's victory in 1978, who also recently passed away.

Rana's crowning achievement came during the 2006 Asian Games, where he won three golds and a silver, equaling a world record.

After a stellar shooting career, he significantly influenced the sport as a junior national team coach and high-performance trainer.

His most notable coaching success was guiding Manu Bhaker to her two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking a historic achievement for India.

Since 2012, he has also mentored young talents like Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, and Chinki Yadav, establishing a robust pipeline of international shooting talent.

In February of last year, the NRAI appointed him as the High-Performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline.

Rana was known for his rigorous training methods that simulated the pressures of Olympic competition.

In recognition of his significant contributions to the sport and the development of future shooters, he received the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020.

He remains India's most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete, boasting 15 medals, including nine golds, across four editions.