Indian shooting fraternity has suffered a major loss with the passing of renowned shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana. He was 49.
According to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Rana breathed his last at a hospital in New Delhi on Thursday night, bringing to an end a remarkable journey that left an indelible mark on Indian shooting.
Rana had recently returned from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany, with the Indian contingent. During the return journey, he reportedly fell ill and required immediate medical attention upon arrival in New Delhi. He was admitted to a hospital, where doctors performed a medical procedure and implanted a stent. Despite the efforts of the medical team, he could not recover.
At the time of his death, Rana was serving as the High-Performance Coach for India’s pistol shooting programme. Widely regarded as one of the architects of India’s rise in international shooting, he played a pivotal role in nurturing young talent and strengthening the country’s competitive shooting ecosystem.
As an athlete, Rana enjoyed an illustrious career and emerged as one of India’s most accomplished pistol shooters. His achievements at the Asian Games and other international competitions brought immense pride to the nation and established him as one of the sport’s most respected figures.
Following his competitive career, Rana transitioned into coaching and mentoring, dedicating himself to developing the next generation of Indian shooters. As a junior national coach and later as a high-performance trainer, he helped shape several athletes who went on to represent India on the global stage.
His technical expertise, discipline and commitment to excellence earned him admiration across the sporting community. Many athletes and officials credit him with transforming the standards of pistol shooting in India and creating a pathway for future success.
Tributes poured in from across the country following the news of his death, with sportspersons, coaches and administrators remembering him not only as a champion shooter but also as a mentor who inspired countless young athletes.
Jaspal Rana’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian shooting. His legacy, however, will continue to live on through the generations of shooters he trained and the achievements he helped make possible for Indian sport.
