Indian shooting legend Jaspal Rana passes away at 49
(Courtesy :Â NRAI)
Rana remains one of the most decorated competitors in Indian sports history
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) expresses its deepest condolences on the sad demise of legendary pistol shooter and national coach Jaspal Rana, who passed away in New Delhi at the age of 49.
Rana’s passing is a profound loss to the entire Indian sporting community, which he served with distinction for over three decades as an elite athlete and mentor.
NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo said:
“Jaspal Rana’s passing is an irreplaceable loss to Indian sports. He was a pioneer who inspired an entire generation of shooters to excel on the international stage.
As an athlete, his achievements were legendary, and as a coach, his dedication helped shape the careers of our finest champions. On behalf of the NRAI, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Born in Uttarakhand on June 28, 1976, Jaspal Rana rose to international prominence in 1994 when he won the junior world title in the 25m standard pistol event in Milan with a world-record score.
He went on to represent India at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, paving the way for the growth of the sport in the country.
Rana remains one of the most decorated competitors in Indian sports history. He won 15 medals at the Commonwealth Games, including nine gold medals, across four editions between 1994 and 2006.
He also secured eight medals at the Asian Games, including four golds. His performance at the 2006 Doha Asian Games remains a career highlight, where he overcame a severe fever to win three gold medals and equal the world record of 590 points in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the nation, he was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997.
Following his competitive career, Rana transitioned into coaching and served as India’s high-performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline.
He was instrumental in developing elite talent, most notably guiding Manu Bhaker to her historic double bronze medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For his coaching excellence, he was honored with the Dronacharya Award in 2020.
Related: On this day in 2024: Manu Bhaker scripts Indian Olympic history with second medal at Paris
NRAI Secretary General Pawan Kumar Singh said:
“Jaspal’s contribution to Indian shooting is unmatched. He brought immense discipline and technical expertise to our national coaching program, helping turn young talent into world-class medalists. He will be deeply missed by everyone in the shooting community, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
The National Rifle Association of India joins the nation in mourning the loss of a true sporting icon and offers its strength to his family and loved ones.
Who was Jaspal Rana?
Jaspal Rana was a legendary Indian shooter and coach of the Indian national shooting team until his passing on June 12 (Friday) at the age of 49.
How did Jaspal Rana die?
According to a NRAI statement, Rana passed away due to illness. He had undergone a heart procedure recently.
What accolades did Jaspal Rana win in his career?
He rose to international prominence in 1994 when he won the junior world title in the 25m standard pistol event in Milan with a world-record score.
Rana remains one of the most decorated competitors in Indian sports history. He won 15 medals at the Commonwealth Games, including nine gold medals, across four editions between 1994 and 2006.
He also secured eight medals at the Asian Games, including four golds. His performance at the 2006 Doha Asian Games remains a career highlight, where he overcame a severe fever to win three gold medals and equal the world record of 590 points in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol event.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the nation, he was honored with the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997.
What were Jaspal Rana’s achievements as a coach?
As a coach, Rana was instrumental in developing elite talent, most notably guiding Manu Bhaker to her historic double bronze medal performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. For his coaching excellence, he was honored with the Dronacharya Award in 2020.
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Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. He is covering sports tech, igaming, sports betting and casino domain from 2017.