Shooter and Coach Jaspal Rana Dies at 49
Why in the news
Jaspal Rana, one of India’s best-known pistol shooters and later a national coach, died in Delhi on 12 June 2026 at the age of 49, and the sporting community paid tributes on 12-13 June.
Key facts
- Jaspal Rana died in Delhi aged 49; he had been born on 28 June 1976.
- He was a pistol shooter who won several gold medals at the Asian Games. One report puts his tally at four Asian Games golds and nine Commonwealth golds.
- At the 2006 Asian Games he equalled a world record in the 25m centre fire pistol event.
- As coach, he guided Manu Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete to win two medals (both bronze) at a single Olympics, at Paris 2024.
Honours received
- Arjuna Award: 1994
- Padma Shri: 1997
- Dronacharya Award: 2020, for coaching
Exam angle
- Obituary items usually ask for the awards and their order: Arjuna (player), Dronacharya (coach).
- Link the person to the sport: pistol shooting and Manu Bhaker’s Paris 2024 double bronze.
- Padma Shri is a civilian honour; Arjuna and Dronacharya are sports awards.