Renowned Indian Shooter Jaspal Rana Passes Away at 49

New Delhi: Famous Indian shooting coach Jaspal Rana passed away on Friday. Rana was a former Asian Games gold medalist and had coached star shooter Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic medalist. He was 49 years old. Reports indicate that his health suddenly deteriorated after returning from Germany, and he was hospitalized. However, the exact cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

Health Deteriorated During the Flight
Rana had returned from Germany after the ISSF World Cup in Munich. He was currently serving as the high-performance coach for Indian pistol shooters. The Indian team had performed exceptionally well in that tournament, winning two gold and two silver medals. A source from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) said, “Yes, Jaspal was facing some health issues during the flight, and after landing in Delhi, he went straight to the hospital. There, he underwent tests and had a stent inserted.”

Honored with the Dronacharya Award
The NRAI had officially appointed him as the high-performance coach for the 25m pistol event. Rana is credited with introducing rigorous training routines. The NRAI had appointed him to this role in February 2025. The government honored him with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020 for his significant contribution to the sport and for grooming the next generation of shooters.

Rana Advanced the Sport of Shooting in India
Rana’s passing is a massive blow to the Indian shooting community. He contributed to the sport for over three decades, excelling both as a champion athlete and as a coach. He won numerous medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships, establishing himself as one of the country’s most successful shooters. Rana represented India with distinction for many years and played a pivotal role in popularizing the sport, particularly during a time when it was still developing in the country. His achievements at the shooting range earned him widespread recognition and inspired a generation of young shooters to take up the sport.