Olympic Champ Manu Bhaker Honors Late Coach Jaspal Rana

The shooting range will never feel the same for Manu Bhaker, who lost her mentor, coach, and friend Jaspal Rana on Thursday at age 49.

Rana, one of India's greatest shooters with 13 Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medals, had recently undergone a stent procedure after experiencing chest discomfort in late May. Despite medical treatment, the former Olympian and renowned coach passed away at a hospital, leaving the sporting world in shock.

Speaking from Dehradun where Rana's remains were brought, Bhaker struggled to process the sudden loss. "He was not just my coach, mentor or guide, but also a friend who understood me better than most people," she told Olympics.com on Friday.

Their partnership tells a story of resilience that mirrors the very qualities Rana instilled in his athletes. After a highly publicized split before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, many thought their working relationship had ended forever.

But slowly, trust rebuilt itself. Conversations resumed, and the joy of shooting returned for Bhaker.

"When we started working together again, it felt like coming home," Bhaker recalled. "He knew when I was confident, when I was nervous and when I needed support."

That reunion proved historic. Under Rana's guidance, Bhaker became the first Indian athlete since independence to win two medals at a single Olympic Games at Paris 2024.

Why This Inspires

Rana's coaching philosophy went beyond technical skills. "There were times when he was strict, and there were times when he simply listened," Bhaker said, reflecting on lessons that only made sense in hindsight.

His impact shaped not just her shooting career but her character. "He taught me how to fight, how to stay grounded and how to never give up," she said.

The discipline and commitment he modeled daily created ripples throughout Indian shooting. A world junior champion and Padma Shri awardee, Rana leaves behind a generation of champions inspired by his relentless pursuit of excellence.

For Bhaker, every future victory will carry his imprint. "Every medal, every success, every moment on the podium will always remind me of him," she said, acknowledging that part of her Olympic triumphs belong to the coach who never stopped believing in her.

His lessons in perseverance will continue guiding her through whatever challenges lie ahead.