Double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker broke down in tears while paying tribute to her coach, Jaspal Rana, at his funeral in Dehradun [1].

The loss marks the departure of a foundational figure in Indian shooting who shaped the careers of top athletes through his mentorship and technical guidance.

Rana died June 12, 2024 [2], at the age of 49 [3]. Reports indicate he suffered a fatal heart attack [4]. The funeral service in Uttarakhand drew a crowd of mourners, including high-ranking government officials and members of the sporting community.

Bhaker, who has won two Olympic medals [1], described the impact Rana had on her professional and personal development. The athlete spoke of the deep bond she shared with the coach, noting that he served as more than just a technical instructor.

"He was my mentor, friend," Bhaker said [5].

She described him as a "mentor, guide, and father figure who played a defining role in my career," she said [1].

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the ceremony and laid a wreath in honor of the late shooter. The chief minister emphasized the void left by Rana's sudden death, noting the influence the coach had on the region's athletic prestige.

"We have lost a great sportsperson and a great human being," Dhami said [6].

The event highlighted the close-knit nature of the Indian shooting circuit, where coaches often act as primary guardians for athletes during their ascent to international competition. Bhaker's emotional response underscored the psychological toll of losing a primary support system during the peak of an athlete's career.

“"He was my mentor, friend,"”

The death of Jaspal Rana represents a significant loss of institutional knowledge in Indian shooting. As a mentor to a double Olympic medallist, Rana's influence extends beyond his own competitive record to the systemic development of India's shooting talent, leaving a gap in the coaching infrastructure of Uttarakhand.