Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana died on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the age of 49. Rana had recently undergone a medical procedure after falling ill during the Indian contingent’s return flight from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. He had been serving as the high-performance coach for India’s pistol shooters until his death.
Born in 1976, Rana was one of India’s most successful and influential names in shooting. Over the course of his career, he won medals in major international competitions and played a significant role in raising India’s profile in the sport. His achievements included medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, where he built a reputation as a consistent performer on the global stage.
Rana’s medal haul at the Commonwealth Games stood out as one of the most impressive records in Indian shooting. Across four editions of the event — 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 — he won 15 medals in total, comprising nine gold, four silver and two bronze. His success made him one of the most decorated Indian athletes of his generation.
His contributions to Indian sport were recognized with several major honours. Rana received the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997 for his achievements in shooting. Later, he was also awarded the Dronacharya Award in 2020 for his work as a coach, reflecting his transition from elite athlete to mentor and builder of future champions.
As a coach, Rana was widely credited with helping shape the careers of several Indian shooters, including Manu Bhaker. He was considered instrumental in Bhaker’s rise and in her winning two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, one of the standout performances for India at the Games. His work behind the scenes had a lasting impact on Indian pistol shooting and on the country’s medal prospects at major international events.
Rana’s death marks a major loss for Indian shooting. He was not only a celebrated athlete but also an important figure in nurturing the next generation of shooters. His legacy spans both competitive excellence and coaching success, and he will be remembered for his extraordinary contribution to Indian sports.
