Tribute to Jaspal Rana: A Legacy in Indian Shooting

Jaspal Rana: A Champion's Farewell

New Delhi, June 12: Jaspal Rana, a celebrated former shooter and esteemed coach, passed away in New Delhi on Friday after facing serious health issues. He was receiving treatment at Max Hospital in Saket, South Delhi, where he ultimately succumbed, as confirmed by hospital representatives.

Rana reportedly fell ill while returning from the ISSF World Cup held in Munich on Thursday and subsequently underwent a medical procedure in Delhi. His death is a significant loss for Indian shooting, a field where he made substantial contributions both as an athlete and a coach.

As one of India's most accomplished shooters, Rana leaves behind an impressive legacy that spans over thirty years. He holds the record as India's most successful athlete at the Commonwealth Games, having amassed an incredible 15 medals—nine gold, four silver, and two bronze—across the 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 editions.

His accolades extend beyond the Commonwealth Games, with four gold medals and one silver from the Asian Games, including a gold at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and a remarkable three gold medals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

During the 1994 World Shooting Championships in Milan, he achieved gold while setting a record score. He also matched the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event with a total score of 590 at the 2006 Asian Games.

Rana was known for his resilience, famously securing three gold medals in Doha while battling a high fever, a remarkable feat that is celebrated in Indian shooting history.

After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana dedicated his life to coaching and developing talent. As a junior national coach, he played a pivotal role in nurturing future stars like Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary.

Despite a well-publicized disagreement with Bhaker prior to the Tokyo Olympics, the two reconciled, with Rana significantly contributing to her successful campaign that led to two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

At the time of his passing, Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol events. His impact as both a champion shooter and a mentor will be remembered in the annals of Indian sports.