NEW DELHI: Indian shooting lost one of its most respected figures on Thursday as renowned coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana passed away at the age of 49.According to National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Rana breathed his last at a Delhi hospital on Thursday night.Rana, who was serving as the high-performance coach for Indian pistol shooters, had recently fallen ill while returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany, where the Indian contingent finished with an impressive haul of four medals, including two gold and two silver.According to sources in the NRAI, Rana felt unwell during the flight back to New Delhi and was taken directly to hospital upon arrival. Medical tests revealed the need for a stent procedure, but the decorated shooter and coach could not recover.His death marks the end of an era for Indian shooting, a sport he influenced both as a champion athlete and a mentor to generations of stars.After a glittering competitive career, which included an Asian Games gold medal and numerous international successes, Rana devoted himself to nurturing young talent. Appointed as the junior national pistol coach in 2012, he played a pivotal role in shaping some of India’s biggest shooting stars, including Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala and Chinki Yadav.Rana’s impact extended far beyond the junior ranks. He was instrumental in the development of Manu Bhaker, who created history with two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024. His methods, which focused on recreating the pressure and intensity of Olympic competition, earned widespread admiration.In February 2025, the NRAI appointed him as the high-performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline, recognising his immense contribution to the sport and his ability to consistently produce world-class performers.For his services to Indian shooting, the government honoured Rana with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020.From a champion marksman to one of the country’s finest coaches, Jaspal Rana leaves behind a rich legacy that transformed Indian shooting and inspired a generation of athletes. His passing is an irreplaceable loss for Indian sport.
