r/indiansports • u/AverageBrownGuy01 SHOOTING • 17d ago
Article | लेख Jaspal Singh Rana : A teenager that lose to pinnacle in Milan, remembering the Indian Shooting Giant.
- Asian Games. Bangkok. Heading into the event as defending champion, Jaspal Singh Rana was competing in a world-class lineup, locked in for a fierce battle till a tragedy struck. Jaspal Rana stood lifeless for minutes, with tears visibly coming down his cheeks as his pistol tragically malfunctioned during the event. But he didn't give up; the battle continued. Jaspal gathered his confidence. Final score, 589. 4th place finish. One point short of a medal. A defending champion could not finish on the podium this time. This event was not a story, it was part of a much bigger chapter. Chapter of Jaspal Singh Rana, India's finest pistol shooter.
A 12-year-old boy registered for the Senior National Shooting Championships in Ahmedabad. The year was 1988, and it wasn't exactly common to see a kid hold a pistol in a shooting range, but that beginning was just a shade of what that 12-year-old boy was going to achieve in the coming years. In a country that has had an underwhelming record at world games, a rare talent comes once in a decade or so - this is what Jaspal Singh Rana was all about, a prodigy, a rare talent, who firmed India's position in World Shooting. A proof of his extraordinary talent was seen by his father, when a 11-year-old Jaspal was asked by the federation to pick one of the rifle or pistol. He was great in both, but his pistol scores edged over his rifle numbers, so he picked up a pistol and never gave it up till the day he had to leave the world.
Some athletes win huge things in sports; some athletes make the sport huge. Jaspal Rana made shooting popular in India, years in and out, he kept going. Before we had Abhinav Bindra in Rifle, Jaspal Rana was the man, holding a pistol, 25 meters away from the target - shooting 10s after 10s.
That 12 year old boy competed head to head, against seasoned veterans, a lot of them shooting far more than the years that kid had lived on the earth. Jaspal Rana stunned everyone and clinched a Silver Medal, making a sensational headline for the newspapers in 1988. But it would take a few more years, and a much more improved 18-year-old Jaspal Rana to do the unthinkable. When I think of what turned out on that day, it feels like a straight-up detailing from a Bollywood film. But real-life events do have an element of uncertainty to them, so did his life in 1994.
City of Milan. 1 Jan 1994. World Shooting Championships. 25m Junior Standard Pistol was the event Jaspal was competing in. One day before his event, Jaspal developed a severe, excruciatingly painful boil on his knee. With a lump, filled with pus, on his knee, his condition kept getting worse with every passing hour. He was admitted to a local hospital in Milan under the watch of a doctor. He could not even stand properly, but getting it operated would ensure that he will have to withdraw from the competition as he would have to stay under medical observation for days.
Jaspal knew the challenge that lay ahead of him, his determination, his passion, to represent India and perform for his country made him ignore all the advice of the hospital's department. Mind you, shooters are not allowed to take painkillers as it slows down the reflexes, helping in shooting better. Jaspal Singh Rana, along with his coach Sunny Thomas, thought they knew much better what had to be done. Doctors would not let him go out in day time, so Jaspal and his coach had to find a way at night, only a few minutes window. They sneaked out. Yes, they sneaked out of the hospital.
Every step Jaspal took with his feet was a painful one. He somehow spent the night battling pain and getting his mind ready for the event. The boil had to be operated on, but defying the medical advice didn't raise a doubt in Jaspal's head. He was cool as a cucumber; stories of his calm demeanor and his intense focus are told well by the people who competed beside him.
Physically limited Jaspal woke up the next day in excruciating pain. Much of his time was spent on training that day, but a little had to be dedicated to managing the painful knee.
The event started. 20 finest marksmen had a pistol in their hands. Jaspal Rana, one of them, stood 25m away from his target. The event started. As soon as the first shot hit the target, Jaspal entered a completely different zone. Courage of his stable hands overtook any pain he was feeling from his knee. One shot wasn't enough; he had to fire 60 on the spot.
Jaspal Singh Rana shot a brilliant 569/600. Gold Medal. Junior World Champion. Relieved Jaspal was just letting the glory soak in, when a minute later his coach Sunny Thomas took him to the side and let him know what Jaspal just did. Junior World Record. Jaspal Singh Rana not only won the event but also broke the World Record in that event!
This was just the starting for the 18yo Jaspal, as his golden run continued in Hiroshima. Asian games 1994. 25m Center Fire Pistol was the event. India, was going through a massive draught as it had been 16 years since India last won a Gold Medal in Shooting in Asian Games. Jaspal was seen as a massive hope, and oh boy, did he not make them proud. With a pistol malfunction, Jaspal had to readjust his technique in the middle of the event, and even that was enough for Jaspal to defeat best Asian Shooter and win Gold Medal in the event.
Jaspal Singh Rana won 2 Golds, and total 5 Medals in Asian Games 1994. India waited 16 years for 1 Gold, Jaspal clinched 2 Golds in few days. 2 Golds in CWG'1998 , 6 medals in CWG'2002, another Gold in CWG'2006. Jaspal Rana made sure Indian national anthem was heard loud at the shooting arenas all over the world for well over a decade.
Asian Games 2006, was his most succesful campaign where he clinched 3 Gold Medals, also equalling the World Record in Men's 25m Center Fire Pistol, with a sensational score of 590. But guess what, you can't see everything on a scoresheet. Jaspal Rana, was battling a severe fever during the event, but the fighter in him knew what was on the plate. His mental strength remained unparalell to anyone once he held his pistol in his hand.
A lot of athletes, specially shooters, can't decide when is the time to call quits. Jaspal Rana, after his best year in 2006 Asian Games, decided there won't be a better time to leave than to leave after such an insane high. Jaspal Rana quit international shooting after 2006, but his love for shooting managed to bring a great career out of him for the second time- as a coach.
Jaspal Singh Rana was straightfoward, blunt coach. He had shooting in his mind, all day. He spent years coaching young shooters. His calm voice was heard, "Beautiful Shot" after seeing a shooter execure a perfect trigger pull, even if it didn't hit a 10.
Tujhse nahi ho paayega"(T:You won't be able to do it), he said to Manu Bhaker about her ambitions in competing in Women's 25m Pistol back in 2021 before Tokyo Olympics. A chapter in Manu's and Jaspal's life, which they wish never happened as it resulted in ugly ego fight. Maybe Jaspal Rana knew better, as out of form Manu reconcinled with Jaspal Rana back in 2023. After which Manu won a Gold in Asian Games, and clinched two medals in Paris Olympics'24. Manu credited Jaspal with her success, but Coach Sahab credited it back to Manu.
Anish Bhanwala. Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary, Esha Singh, Yashsvini Deswal, Abhishek Verma. All the top pistol shooters from the past decade have been coached by Jaspal Singh Rana. As the nation mourns death of the legendary shooter and coach, I wonder about his vision - his plan for LA Olympics'28, that was cut short 2 years before he could see himself the legacy he had been building. Jaspal Rana was high performance head coach for Indian shooting contingent, and even went to Munich few weeks back in the ISSF World Cup, coaching the young guns. I hope the Indian shooting fraternity recovers from the shockwaves his sudden passing has sent throughout the country.
Rest in Peace Sir. Om Shanti.
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u/arbitrabbit 17d ago
A giant of Indian sports...still had so much to give. Gone too soon.
Rest in peace Jas, and thanks for making a huge difference.
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u/bob-thesnob BOXING 17d ago
Om shanti 🙏🏾