Jaspal Rana, one of India’s finest pistol shooters who made a hugely successful transition to coaching and guided Manu Bhaker to epoch-making twin bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, has died at a mere 49 years of age after battling cardiac complications.
Rana is survived by his wife Reena Rana, daughter Devanshi, son Yuvraj, father Narayan Singh Rana and his two siblings, Sushma Singh and Subhash Rana.
National Rifle Association of India president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo said Rana breathed his last on Thursday night at Delhi’s Max Super Speciality Hospital where he was admitted in a critical condition on June 1.
His last rites would be conducted in Varanasi on Saturday. The pistol ace was a prodigal talent and won his first national level gold at just 12 years of age. He was conferred the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020. tri
