Tributes Pour In for Legendary Shooter Jaspal Rana Following His Passing
A Heartfelt Farewell to Jaspal Rana
New Delhi, June 12: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya shared his profound sorrow on Friday regarding the death of esteemed shooter and coach Jaspal Rana.
Rana, who had been facing health issues, passed away in New Delhi. He was receiving treatment at Max Hospital in Saket, South Delhi, where he ultimately succumbed, as confirmed by hospital representatives.
In a message posted on X, Mandaviya expressed his sadness over Rana's demise, referring to him as a legendary shooter and an outstanding mentor. He acknowledged Rana's significant impact on Indian sports and extended his condolences to the bereaved family.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Indian shooting icon Shri Jaspal Rana Ji. His remarkable contributions as a champion athlete and a dedicated mentor have created an inspiring legacy. My heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, and the entire sporting community. Om Shanti,” Mandaviya stated in his X post.
Rana, one of India's most celebrated shooters, leaves behind an impressive legacy that spans over thirty years. He is recognized as India's most successful athlete in 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 accomplishments reached beyond the Commonwealth Games, as Rana secured four golds and one silver at 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 held in Milan, he achieved gold while setting a record score. Additionally, he matched the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event with a total score of 590 at the 2006 Asian Games.
At the time of his passing, Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol shooting events. His legacy as both a champion shooter and a mentor will continue to resonate within Indian sports.