Shooting legend Jaspal Rana dies away at 49 (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana passed away on Friday at the age of 49 following a cardiac emergency. The former champion shooter, who was serving as India’s High-Performance Coach for pistol shooting, had recently returned from the ISSF World Cup in Munich when he fell ill.
Rana reportedly experienced chest discomfort during his return journey to India, which was initially mistaken for acidity. After landing in New Delhi, he was admitted to Max Hospital in Saket.
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Medical examinations revealed a cardiac blockage, and doctors inserted a stent. Although he was initially reported to be stable, his condition worsened, leading to his death on Friday morning.
According to family members, including his brother Subash Rana, the discomfort began during the tournament travel but was not initially seen as severe.
Born in Uttarakhand, Rana was one of India’s most successful pistol shooters. He burst onto the international stage in 1994, winning gold at the World Shooting Championships in Milan in the junior category with a record performance. That same year, he secured a gold medal at the Asian Games, marking the beginning of a decorated career.
Over the years, Rana accumulated medals across the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships. He remains India’s most successful Commonwealth Games shooter with 15 medals, including nine golds. His standout performance came at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, where he won three gold medals and equalled a world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event.
After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana transitioned into coaching and joined India’s national setup in 2012. He played a key role in developing the country’s junior pistol programme and later became High-Performance Coach for the 25m pistol discipline in 2025.
He worked closely with several top Indian shooters, including Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala, and Chinki Yadav. His coaching methods were widely praised for simulating high-pressure international competition environments.
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His partnership with Manu Bhaker proved especially significant, contributing to her strong performances at the Paris Olympics 2024, where she made history by winning two bronze medals in a single edition of the Games.
Rana’s death has triggered widespread grief in the sporting community. Leaders, athletes, and officials expressed shock at his sudden passing, highlighting his immense contribution to Indian shooting both as an athlete and a coach.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described him as an “exceptional athlete and kind-hearted person,” noting his role in popularising shooting in India and bringing international glory to the country.
Rana’s career spanned over three decades, first as one of India’s most decorated shooters and later as a mentor who helped shape a generation of Olympic-level athletes. His contribution is seen as instrumental in India’s rise as a strong force in international shooting sports.
