New Delhi: Indian shooting lost one of its most revered figures on Thursday as legendary coach and former Asian Games gold medalist Jaspal Rana passed away at the age of 49.According to National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalish Narayan Singh Dev, Rana breathed his last at a hospital in Delhi on Thursday night.Rana, who was serving as the high performance coach of the Indian pistol shooters, recently fell ill while returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany, where the Indian contingent won four medals, including two golds and two silvers.According to NRAI sources, Rana felt unwell during the flight back to New Delhi and was taken directly to the hospital on arrival. Medical tests revealed the need for a stent procedure, but the decorated shooter and coach could not recover.His death marks the end of an era in Indian shooting, a sport he inspired both as a champion athlete and as a mentor to generations of stars.After an illustrious competitive career, which included a gold medal at the Asian Games and numerous international successes, Rana dedicated himself to nurturing young talent. Appointed as the Junior National Pistol Coach in 2012, he has been instrumental in shaping some of India’s biggest shooting stars, including Saurabh ChaudharyAnish Bhanwala and Chunky Yadav.Rana’s influence extended far beyond the junior ranks. He played an important role in the development of I beg youwho made history with two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His methods, which focused on recreating the pressure and intensity of Olympic competition, won widespread acclaim.In February 2025, the NRAI appointed him as the High Performance Coach for the 25m Pistol discipline, recognizing his immense contribution to the sport and his ability to consistently produce world-class performers.For his services to Indian shooting, the government awarded Rana with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020.From a champion marksman to one of the best coaches in the country, Jaspal Rana has left behind a rich legacy that transformed Indian shooting and inspired a generation of players. His departure is an irreparable loss to the Indian game.
