Anish Bhanwala Reflects on the Legacy of Coach Jaspal Rana
A Lasting Influence
Anish Bhanwala, India's prominent rapid-fire pistol shooter, has been deeply influenced by the words of his late coach, Jaspal Rana. Rana, a celebrated figure in Indian shooting, once told Anish, "If you win today, the world will support you. But if you don’t, I’ll still be here for you." This sentiment has resonated with Anish throughout his career.
As he copes with the loss of Rana, who passed away at 49 due to heart complications, Anish recalls how Rana instilled confidence in him, particularly during the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where he clinched the gold medal.
Anish reminisced about a pivotal moment during the competition when he was anxious about his performance. Rana reassured him, saying, "If you perform well today, the world will be with you. But if not, I’ll still stand by you." This encouragement helped Anish excel and secure victory.
In preparation for the World Cup in Munich and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Anish had the opportunity to train with Rana in Italy. Remarkably, Rana reiterated his supportive words from years prior, highlighting the strong bond they shared.
Reflecting on their time together, Anish noted a significant change in Rana's demeanor during their training in Italy. He described Rana as more philosophical and gentle, often sharing life lessons that Anish found invaluable.
Anish, a former junior world champion, expressed that Rana had ambitious plans for his future in shooting. Rana affectionately referred to him as 'Babu' and often emphasized the importance of seriousness in his training.
Discussing the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, Rana encouraged Anish, saying he believed in his potential, provided he remained focused. Their discussions in Italy were filled with optimism and plans for the future.
Anish's journey with Rana began in 2015-16 when Rana took charge of the junior pistol squad. Their relationship deepened as Rana became his coach in 2017, leading Anish to break the world record in the standard pistol event, a record Rana had set in 1994.
Despite Rana's strict coaching style, which some found challenging, Anish recognized that it was all aimed at fostering excellence. He acknowledged that while he sometimes struggled with Rana's methods, he ultimately understood their purpose.
As he reflects on his time with Rana, Anish admits that the news of his mentor's passing has profoundly affected him. He shared a poignant moment from their trip to Italy, where he expressed his difficulty in showing emotions, to which Rana responded with understanding and wisdom.