Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker mourned the death of coach Jaspal Rana, calling it an “irreparable damage” and saying the shooting range will never feel the same again. Read her emotional tribute.
Paris Olympic double bronze medalist Manu Bhaker and her coach Jaspal Rana. (Photo: Manu Bhaker/X)
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has described the death of her coach and mentor Jaspal Rana as an “irreparable damage”, saying the shooting range “will never feel the same again” without the man who played a pivotal role in reviving her career and guiding her to Olympic glory.
Bhaker took to social media on Friday to express her grief, posting pictures with Rana and writing simply: “Irreparable damage.”
Advertisement
अपूरणीय क्षति 💔🕉️🙏🏻🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/XiU38FFhmA
Advertisement
— Manu Bhaker🇮🇳 (@realmanubhaker) June 13, 2026
The emotional tribute came after Rana passed away in New Delhi early on Friday following complications arising from a recent stent procedure after suffering chest discomfort late in May. He was 49.
Also Read: Jaspal Rana, Indian shooting legend and Manu Bhaker’s mentor, dies at 49
Bhaker later shared that she was struggling to come to terms with the loss.
“I still can’t believe it,” Manu was quoted as saying by Olympics.com. “It is unbelievable news. I am struggling to process it. He was not just my coach, mentor, or guide, but also a friend who understood me better than most people.”
She has reached Dehradun, where Rana’s mortal remains were taken for the final rites.
Reflecting on their bond, Bhaker said their relationship extended far beyond the shooting range.
“There were times when he was strict, and there were times when he simply listened. He always wanted the best from me, even when I did not understand it at the time. Looking back now, every lesson he taught me had a purpose.”
After the disappointment of the Tokyo Olympics, Rana played a crucial role in rebuilding Bhaker’s confidence and helping her return to her best. Their reunion eventually culminated in a historic campaign at the Paris Olympics, where she won two medals.
Also Read: ‘Jab mrityu nishchit ho…’: Jaspal Rana’s Instagram bio goes viral as nation mourns shooting legend
“When we started working together again, it felt like coming home,” Bhaker said. “He knew when I was confident, when I was nervous, and when I needed support. He always found a way to bring out the best in me.”
She added that every success in her career will forever carry her coach’s legacy.
“Every medal, every success, every moment on the podium will always remind me of him. A part of those victories belongs to him because he never stopped believing in me, even during the most difficult phases of my career.”
One of India’s greatest pistol shooters, Rana turned to coaching after retiring from competition. He initially trained young shooters at his academy in Dehradun before joining the national setup, where he became one of the country’s most influential coaches and played a defining role in Bhaker’s remarkable comeback.
Also Read: PM Modi mourns Jaspal Rana’s demise, hails his extraordinary contribution to Indian shooting
His sudden passing has sent shockwaves through the Indian shooting fraternity, with athletes and officials mourning the loss of a champion shooter and an inspirational mentor.
Advertisement
