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An emotional Manu Bhaker paid tribute to Jaspal Rana, saying every medal and success in her career will forever remind her of the coach who never stopped believing in her.
Manu Bhaker at coach Jaspal Rana’s residence
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker struggled to hold back tears as she paid her last respects to legendary shooting coach Jaspal Rana in Dehradun, describing his death as a loss she is still unable to process.
Speaking after the final rites, Manu reflected on the deep bond she shared with the man who played a pivotal role in shaping both her career and her comeback story.
“I still can’t believe it,” Manu told Olympics.com on Friday. “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.”
VIDEO | Dehradun, Uttarakhand: Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker arrives at the residence and shooting academy of her coach, Jaspal Rana, in Poundha to pay her respects after the mortal remains of the Indian shooting legend were brought there.Rana passed away on Friday… pic.twitter.com/xvbmJnt8q1
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2026
Rana, one of India’s greatest-ever shooters, won multiple medals across the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, including 13 gold medals. A world junior champion, Olympian and Padma Shri awardee, he later built an equally formidable reputation as a coach.
His influence on Manu’s journey was immense. Their relationship extended far beyond coach and athlete.
“When we started working together again, it felt like coming home,” Manu 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.”
Under Rana’s guidance, Manu scripted one of Indian sport’s greatest comeback stories, becoming the first Indian in the post-Independence era to win two medals at a single Olympic Games.
Those achievements, she says, will forever be tied to her mentor’s legacy.
“Every medal, every success, every moment on the podium will always remind me of him,” Manu said.
“A part of those victories belongs to him because he never stopped believing in me, even during the most difficult phases of my career.”
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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