NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the nation in mourning the death of renowned shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana, describing his passing as “a profound loss to the world of Indian sports.”Rana, who was serving as the high-performance coach for Indian pistol shooters, died at a Delhi hospital on Thursday night at the age of 49.Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to the shooting legend, highlighting not only his achievements as an athlete but also his immense contribution to nurturing future champions.“Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji. His passing is a profound loss to the world of Indian sports,” Modi wrote. “He brought immense glory to the nation through his extraordinary achievements in shooting and equally remarkable was his contribution as a mentor, shaping and guiding young athletes with great dedication.”The Prime Minister also praised Rana’s values and commitment to the sport.“His unwavering commitment to excellence, discipline and service to the sporting world earned him immense admiration. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire sporting fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” he added.
From champion shooter to master coach
Rana enjoyed a decorated career as one of India’s finest pistol shooters before turning his attention to coaching.He later emerged as one of the most influential figures in Indian shooting, helping shape a new generation of stars. His most notable contribution came as mentor to Manu Bhaker, who created history by winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024.Since taking over as junior national pistol coach in 2012, Rana had groomed several talented shooters, including Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala and Chinki Yadav.
Final days after Munich World Cup
Rana had recently travelled with the Indian contingent to the ISSF World Cup in Munich, where the team returned with four medals, including two gold and two silver.According to officials, he fell ill during the return flight and was immediately admitted to a hospital in New Delhi upon landing. He underwent a procedure to have a stent fitted but could not recover.The National Rifle Association of India had appointed him as the high-performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline in February 2025.Honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2020, Rana leaves behind a towering legacy as both a champion marksman and the architect of India’s modern shooting success.
