Indian shooter Manu Bhaker broke down in Dehradun while paying her final respects to her late coach, Jaspal Rana [1, 2].

The loss of Rana marks a significant blow to the Indian shooting community, as he served as a critical mentor to one of the nation's most successful athletes.

Bhaker, a double Olympic medallist who won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Games [2], described the death of her coach as an "irreparable damage" [1]. Rana died at the age of 49 [2]. The emotional scene took place in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, where the shooter sought to honor the man who guided her career [1, 2].

Bhaker emphasized the deep personal and professional bond she shared with Rana. "He was my mentor, friend," she said [3]. The shooter noted that the void left by his death would be felt across the sport, stating that the shooting range will never feel the same again [1].

Rana was regarded as a legendary figure in Indian shooting. His role extended beyond technical coaching, acting as a guide for Bhaker during her ascent to the international stage [1, 3]. The tribute highlighted the influential role of coaching in the high-pressure environment of Olympic sports, a relationship that culminated in Bhaker's historic success in Paris [2].

The event drew attention to the emotional toll on athletes when they lose the figures who shaped their early development. Bhaker's public grief underscored the familial nature of the athlete-coach relationship in India's competitive sporting culture [1, 3].

“His loss is an 'irreparable damage'.”

The death of Jaspal Rana at 49 removes a key architect of India's modern shooting success. Because Bhaker's achievements in Paris were closely tied to Rana's mentorship, his absence creates both a technical and psychological gap for the athlete as she navigates the next Olympic cycle.