Tributes Pour In for Indian Shooting Icon Jaspal Rana Following His Passing
Final Farewell for Jaspal Rana
The last rites of renowned Indian shooter and coach Jaspal Rana were held at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi on Saturday. The Dronacharya Award-winning coach and recipient of the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri passed away in New Delhi on Friday after facing health challenges. He was receiving treatment at Max Hospital in Saket, South Delhi, where he ultimately passed away.
A Legacy of Excellence
At just 49 years old, Rana's body was first taken to his home in Dehradun on Friday night before being transported to Manikarnika Ghat for his final rites. Notably, Pankaj Singh, son of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was among those who carried Rana's remains.
Rana's illustrious career spanned over three decades, making him one of India's most celebrated shooters. He holds the record as the most successful athlete in the Commonwealth Games, amassing an impressive total of 15 medals: nine gold, four silver, and two bronze from the 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006 Games.
His accolades also include four gold medals and one silver from the Asian Games, highlighted by a gold medal at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and a remarkable three gold medals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
In addition, Rana achieved a gold medal at the 1994 World Shooting Championships in Milan, where he set a record score. He matched the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event with a total score of 590 during the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
Overcoming Challenges
Rana was known for his resilience, famously securing three gold medals in Doha while battling a high fever, a testament to his remarkable spirit and determination.
From Competitor to Coach
After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana dedicated his life to coaching and developing young talent. As a junior national coach, he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of future stars like Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary.
Despite a highly publicized disagreement with Bhaker prior to the Tokyo Olympics, the two reconciled, with Rana significantly contributing to her success, which included 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, leaving a lasting impact on Indian sports through his dual roles as a champion shooter and mentor.