Manu Bhaker Pays Tribute to Late Mentor Jaspal Rana

When news broke that Jaspal Rana – the towering figure in Indian shooting who turned many promising athletes into champions – had passed away, the sporting world stopped for a moment. Among the first to speak out was the 21‑year‑old prodigy Manu Bhaker, whose eyes glistened as she recalled the man who shaped not just her technique, but her whole outlook on the sport.

“Jaspal was more than a coach to me,” Manu said, her voice soft yet steady. “He was my mentor, my friend, my compass when I felt lost. I still remember him telling me to trust my instinct, to let the pistol speak through me.” Those words echo a relationship that went well beyond the firing range – a bond forged over countless early‑morning sessions, shared meals, and the occasional light‑hearted banter that made the grind feel lighter.

Rana, a former Commonwealth Games gold‑medallist himself, had a reputation for demanding perfection while nurturing a warm, almost paternal rapport with his pupils. For Manu, that balance was the secret sauce behind her meteoric rise: from a double‑medallist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games to shooting multiple medals at the Asian Games and setting national records in the 10‑m air pistol.

“Every time I stepped onto the platform, I could feel his presence,” she recalled, smiling through a tear. “He’d whisper, ‘Stay calm, breathe, and let the gun do the work.’ Those tiny reminders saved me more times than I can count.” It’s not just the technical drills that linger in her memory, but the life lessons – resilience after a missed shot, humility after a win – that have become part of her DNA.

Manu also paid homage to his broader impact on Indian shooting. “Jaspal changed the whole ecosystem,” she noted. “He introduced modern training methods, pushed for better facilities, and fought for the athletes’ rights. Without him, many of us wouldn’t be where we are today.”

Looking ahead, the young sharpshooter admitted the loss feels like a missing puzzle piece as she prepares for the upcoming Olympic qualifiers. “I’ll carry his voice in my head, especially when the pressure mounts. It’s painful, but I’ll turn that pain into fire,” she affirmed, her resolve unmistakable.

Fans and fellow shooters alike flooded social media with tributes, echoing Manu’s sentiment that Rana was a beacon of inspiration. As the shooting fraternity mourns, they also celebrate a legacy that will live on in every athlete who lifts a pistol and remembers his words: “Aim for the stars, but keep your feet on the ground.”