Manu Bhaker breaks down while paying last respects to legendary shooter, coach Jaspal Rana
Dehradun, June 13
Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker broke down while paying last respects to her long-time coach Padma Shri Jaspal Rana, who passed away aged 49.
Rana passed away in New Delhi on Friday after battling health complications. He was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket, South Delhi, where he breathed his last. Jaspal's mortal remains were brought to his Dehradun residence on Friday night.
Manu Bhaker, whom Jaspal Rana had identified and trained as a junior national coach, also paid her last respects to her former mentor. Rana notably played a key role in Bhaker's success, helping her secure two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
One of India's most decorated shooters, Rana leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning more than three decades. He remains India's most successful Commonwealth Games athlete, having won an extraordinary 15 medals -- nine gold, four silver and two bronze -- across the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 editions of the Games.
His achievements extended well beyond the Commonwealth stage. Rana secured four gold medals and one silver at the Asian Games, including a gold medal at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and a historic haul of three gold medals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
At the 1994 World Shooting Championships in Milan, he clinched gold while setting a record score. He also equalled the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event with an aggregate score of 590 during the 2006 Asian Games.
Known for his grit and determination, Rana famously won three gold medals in Doha despite competing with a high fever, a feat that remains one of the most celebrated achievements in Indian shooting history.
After retiring from competition, Rana devoted himself to coaching and talent development. As a junior national coach, he identified and nurtured several future stars, including Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary.
Despite a widely publicised fallout with Bhaker before the Tokyo Olympics, the two later reunited, with Rana playing a key role in her successful campaign that culminated in two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
At the time of his death, Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol events. His contributions as both champion shooter and mentor have left an enduring mark on Indian sport.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The fact that he won three golds in Doha with a high fever shows what grit really means. Shooting is such a mental sport, and he mastered it. Rest in power, sir. 🕊️
Very sad news. But it's also a reminder of how much pressure our athletes face—from the system, from expectations, and from themselves. I hope more attention is paid to their mental health and support systems. Jaspal Rana's contribution to Indian shooting is immense, but his early passing at 49 is a wake-up call.
I remember watching him in the 2006 Asian Games—absolute magic. And then to see him groom Manu into an Olympic medallist after their fallout makes his story even more inspiring. Legends never die. 💔
It's truly saddening. But I also feel we as a country only remember our sport stars when they pass away. Where was the institutional support for him while he was alive? We need to do better for our athletes and coaches. Jaspal Rana deserved more recognition while he was here.
Jaspal Rana wasn't just a shooter—he was a mentor who rebuilt a broken athlete into a two-time Olympic medalist. That fall-out and reunion story is pure cinema. Rest in peace, sir. You've earned your place in history. ✨
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