Jaspal Rana, Manu Bhaker’s coach, dies at 49; PM Modi mourns

Indian shooting legend Jaspal Rana, known for his fearless approach and straight talk, has passed away at 49. A trailblazer, he inspired a generation of shooters, proving Indians could win internationally. Rana challenged the system, championed athletes' rights, and later mentored champions like Manu Bhaker, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker broke down in tears as she paid her last respects to legendary shooting coach Jaspal Rana in Poundha. Emotional visuals from Rana's residence and shooting academy have gone viral on social media. Bhaker was seen standing beside her mentor's mortal remains, struggling to hold back tears.The Indian shooting legend passed away on Friday after a brief illness, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) confirmed.VIDEO | Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker arrives at the residence and shooting academy of her coach, Jaspal Rana, in Poundha to pay her respects after the mortal remains of the Indian shooting legend were brought there.Rana passed away on Friday… pic.twitter.com/xvbmJnt8q1— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2026 Bhaker, who shared a special bond with Rana, arrived at the academy soon after his mortal remains were brought there. The heartbreaking scenes left fans and members of the shooting fraternity emotional. Rana, 49, who brought laurels to the country through his achievements as an elite shooter and later played a key role in nurturing young talent as a coach, including guiding Manu to two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, died due to heart-related complications on Friday.Rana had recently fallen ill during the Indian contingent's return flight from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. After landing in New Delhi, he was immediately hospitalised and underwent a medical procedure to have a stent fixed. Despite medical efforts, the celebrated shooter and coach could not recover.

Legendary Indian shooter and coach Jaspal Rana has passed away. He was a celebrated athlete, achieving numerous medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Rana also excelled at the World Championships. He later mentored young shooters as a high-performance coach. His contributions to Indian sports are significant.

Jaspal Rana, one of India’s most celebrated shooters and the coach of some of the country’s biggest shooting stars, has passed away at the age of 49.

He remains India’s most successful Commonwealth Games athlete, having won 15 medals in four editions of the event.

India’s sporting and political communities came together in grief following the passing of celebrated shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana, who died at the age of 49. Tributes poured in from across the country, remembering him as a champion athlete, transformative coach, and key figure in the rise of Indian shooting.Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation’s condolences, calling Rana’s death “a profound loss to the world of Indian sports.” In a post on X, Modi highlighted his achievements as an elite shooter as well as his influential role in mentoring young athletes, noting his dedication, discipline, and commitment to excellence.Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana dies at 49.(File Photo) pic.twitter.com/gQF9EKC0w0— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2026 The sporting fraternity also expressed deep sorrow. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra and other leading athletes paid heartfelt tributes, describing Rana as a pioneer who helped shape the modern era of Indian shooting. President Droupadi Murmu also joined in mourning, praising his enduring contribution to the sport and his inspirational legacy.Within the shooting community, Rana was widely regarded as one of the most influential coaches in India’s history. He played a crucial role in developing world-class shooters such as Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, and others, helping India establish a strong presence on the global stage. His training methods and emphasis on replicating competitive pressure became widely respected across the sporting ecosystem.Here are the reactionsDeeply saddened by the passing of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji. His passing is a profound loss to the world of Indian sports.He brought immense glory to the nation through his extraordinary achievements in shooting. Equally remarkable was his contribution as a mentor, shaping and…— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2026 A champion, a coach and an inspiration to many. Jaspal Rana’s impact on Indian shooting will be felt for generations. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 12, 2026 The news of the passing of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji is extremely sad. He was a renowned shooter whose exceptional performances brought glory to the nation.A winner of several medals at global shooting competitions, he established himself as an icon of Indian sports. As an athlete and…— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 12, 2026 Shri Jaspal Rana was a stalwart of Indian Sports. His passing has a left a huge void. Om Shanti. #JaspalRana pic.twitter.com/888SgPfyLM— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) June 12, 2026 Renowned #shooting coach Jaspal Rana passed away at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy that shaped #IndianShooting for decades. From winning medals for the nation to guiding Manu Bhaker & many more athletes to Olympic & international glory, his passion, dedication, and… pic.twitter.com/aVf64kAKWy— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) June 12, 2026 Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the untimely demise of India's shooting legend and an exceptional coach and mentor, Shri Jaspal Rana Ji.Indian sports have lost not just a gem but one of its proudest pillars, whose remarkable achievements brought immense glory to the…— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) June 12, 2026 Deeply saddened by the passing of Jaspal Rana ji, one of India's finest shooting champions and a mentor who inspired generations of athletes.His dedication to excellence and his immense contribution to Indian sport have left an enduring mark on our nation.My heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/NiDBLlJ0pT— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 12, 2026 Pained by the demise of Shri Jaspal Rana ji, a legendary athlete & renowned shooting coach. His contribution to Indian shooting & his dedication to nurturing young talent will always be remembered. My sincere condolences to his family. ॐ शांति।। pic.twitter.com/uYbyeLygxg— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 12, 2026 Heartbroken to hear about Jaspal Rana’s passing.Jaspal was my teammate, and in many ways, part of a generation that helped shape Indian shooting. He was intense, gifted, and carried the pride of the country every time he stepped onto the range.This is a huge loss for our…— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) June 12, 2026 As tributes continue to pour in from athletes, administrators, and political leaders, Jaspal Rana is being remembered not only for his decorated career as a shooter but also for his lasting impact as a mentor who shaped a generation of champions. His legacy is expected to remain deeply embedded in Indian sport for years to come.