Jaspal Rana was a legendary Indian pistol shooter who dominated international shooting events in the 1990s and also had the distinction of coaching Olympic bronze medal winner Manu Bhaker in 2024. He won multiple medals for India in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. He breathed his last on 11th June 2026, as confirmed by Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, the president of the National Rifle Association of India.
Who was Jaspal Rana?
Jaspal Rana was an Indian pistol shooter who put India on the global shooting map during the 1990s. He was born on 28th June 1976 in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand and specialised in Center Fire Pistol 25m and Sports Pistol.
Rana's success in winning gold medals at international competition at a very young age made him a national hero. His achievements encouraged a new generation of Indian shooters. He was the most successful Indian athlete in the Commonwealth Games, he won 15 medals overall in the span between 1994 and 2026.
Jaspal Rana: Key Facts at a Glance
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Details
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Date of Birth
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June 28, 1976
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Death
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June 11, 2026
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Place of Birth
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Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India
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Primary Shooting Event
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25m Center Fire Pistol
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Major Career Highlight
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4 Gold Medals at the Asian Games
15 Medals in Commonwealth Games ( 9 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze)
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National Awards
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Arjuna Award (1994), Dronacharya Award (2020)
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Role
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High-performance Shooting Coach
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What are the Major Achievements of Jaspal Rana?
Jaspal Rana gained international fame by winning the gold medal in ISSF World Shooting Championships in Milan in 1994. He won this junior title with a world record score in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol. With this win, he became a household name in India at the age of 18.
He continued to enjoy success at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima by winning the gold medal in the individual 25m Centre Fire Pistol competition. Rana also won a silver and bronze medal in individual and team events at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.
His best performance was at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha. Rana won 3 gold medals and achieved a world record score of 589 points in the 25m Center Fire Pistol event at Doha.
Which National Awards did Jaspal Rana Win?
In 1994, Jaspal Rana was awarded the Arjuna Award by the Government of India for his exceptional performance in sports. At the age of 18, he won the highest accolade in the world of sports. He has consistently performed well at the international level and established himself as one of the best athletes in India.
He was awarded the Dronacharya Award in 2020 by the Government of India. This award is for excellence in sports coaching. Rana was given the award for mentoring the top Indian shooters. His most famous student is Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals in Paris Olympics 2024.
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