New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi The nation mourned the death of the renowned shooting coach and former on Friday. Asian Games Gold medalist Jaspal Rana called his death “a deep loss to the world of Indian sports”.Rana, who served as the high-performance coach of Indian pistol shooters, died on Thursday night at the age of 49 in a hospital in Delhi..Taking the X2, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to the shooting legend, highlighting not only his achievements as a sportsman but also his immense contribution in nurturing future champions.“Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Jaspal Ranaji. His passing is a deep loss to the world of Indian sports,” Modi wrote. “He brought immense respect to the nation through his extraordinary achievements in shooting and was equally remarkable for his mentorship, molding and guiding young sportsmen with great dedication.”The Prime Minister also appreciated Rana’s values and commitment to sports.“His excellence, discipline and unwavering commitment to service to the world of sports have earned him immense admiration. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire sports community in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” he added.
From Champion Shooter to Master Coach
Rana enjoyed an illustrious career as one of India’s best pistol shooters before turning his attention to coaching.He later emerged as one of the most influential figures in Indian shooting, helping to shape a new generation of stars. His most notable contribution came as a mentor I beg youWho made history by winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics in 2024.Since taking over as Junior National Pistol Coach in 2012, Rana has groomed several talented shooters including Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala and Chunky Yadav.
Last day of the Munich World Cup
Rana recently traveled 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 after landing. He underwent a stent procedure but could not recover.The National Rifle Association of India appointed him as High Performance Coach for the 25m Pistol discipline in February 2025.Awarded the Dronacharya Award in 2020, Rana leaves behind a formidable legacy as a champion marksman and architect of India’s modern shooting success.
