Published: June 12, 2026 at 7:16 pm
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) expressed 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.
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.
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Esha Singh fondly remembers Jaspal
Hyderabad’s ace shooter Esha Singh fondly recollected memories of Jaspal Rana. In a post on X, Esha wrote: “There are some people whose presence becomes such a natural part of your journey that it’s hard to imagine the sport without them. Today, I find myself looking back at years of memories, conversations, and moments shared with Jaspal Sir. From seeing him around the range since 2018 to having the privilege of training under him for a period in 2025, his presence was one that felt constant in our sport. Strong, passionate, and deeply invested in Indian shooting. Sir was someone who always carried immense belief in the athletes around him. I will always cherish the times he encouraged me, telling me that I was meant for great things in this sport and reminding me to trust the journey, even on difficult days. Those words meant more than he probably knew. Beyond the medals, records, and achievements, his greatest legacy is the impact he had on generations of shooters. His knowledge, guidance, and unwavering commitment to Indian shooting have shaped countless careers and inspired so many of us. Thank you, Sir, for everything you gave to the sport and to the people within it. Your influence will continue to live on through every athlete whose life you touched. Rest in peace, Jaspal Sir. You will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.”
