Critically-acclaimed Indian shooter and celebrated coach Jaspal Rana, who was the country’s most accomplished marksmen, passed away in New Delhi on Friday after undergoing a heart procedure involving the placement of a stent, which occurred as he experienced chest pain and discomfort during the ISSF World Cup in Munich.

Notably, Rana served as India’s high-performance coach in the 25m pistol discipline and breathed his last at Max Hospital in Delhi’s Saket.

Pall of gloom descends on Indian sporting fraternity

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi extended his tributes to the shooting great, terming his demise a significant setback and a profound loss for Indian sports. Expressing grief over the news, PM Modi said the former shooter’s contributions to India extended far beyond his remarkable achievements on the range.

He wrote on ‘X’, ‘Deeply 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.”

He further shed light on Rana’s role as a mentor, noting that his dedication to nurturing young talent helped shape the future of Indian shooting.

Shooting community in disbelief

Members of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) were in for a shock after the news surfaced, many of whom believed Rana was on the road to recovery. NRAI Secretary General Pawan Singh said the development was difficult to come to terms with. According to him, Rana had been recovering well and was expected to be shifted to a private room soon.

Condolences also poured in from NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo, who called Rana a champion, mentor, and enduring icon of Indian shooting. He noted that generations of athletes had drawn inspiration from his accomplishments and guidance.

A legacy that will endure

Rana was widely viewed and regarded as one of India’s greatest shooters, and enjoyed a glittering competitive career. He claimed eight medals at the Asian Games and 15 medals at the Commonwealth Games as a specialist in the 25m centre fire pistol event.

After boasting a competitive career, he became a driving force behind Indian shooting’s rise on the global stage. Through NRAI’s junior development programme, he mentored several elite shooters like Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala and Chinki Yadav. He was conferred with the Dronacharya Award in 2020, and his coaching career reached its pinnacle at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where he guided Bhaker to a historic double bronze-medal finish.

Shooters Manu Bhaker (Left) and Saurabh Chaudhary (Right)

Rana’s achievements as both an athlete as well as a mentor have left an indelible mark on Indian sport, ensuring that his legacy will inspire future generations for years to come.