Jaspal Rana knows what it’s like to be an Olympian. At Atlanta in 1996, he took part in two events. In his element over 25 metres – standard pistol and centre-fire – Rana had to adapt to the 10m and 50m air pistol events in the Olympic schedule. He finished last in a field of 45 in the 50m, and was 29th in the 10m. Margins at the highest level are so tight that his total (574/600) was just seven short of a place in the final.
He hadn’t been back to an Olympics since. Until now, until Paris. His shooting days are long gone, but it’s under his guidance that Manu Bhaker rediscovered her love of the sport, and the fierce focus that had marked her out as someone special even as a teenager.
“I just had to help Manu, she came to me,” said an emotional Rana after Manu had clinched bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol in Chateauroux, 275km outside of Paris. “This was a challenge I took on for the nation. If I can help one shooter, it is my duty and honour. This medal is for India.”
The past few years have been a rough ride for Rana. He coaches Manu in a private capacity, and is not part of the pool of national coaches. Even getting to the Games was an ordeal, with sense finally prevailing that Manu would shoot better with him in her corner.
Winning this medal is a dream come true, not just for me but for everyone who has supported me. I am deeply grateful to the NRAI, SAI, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Coach Jaspal Rana sir, Haryana government and OGQ. I dedicate this victory to my country for their incredible… pic.twitter.com/hnzGjNwUhvRelated stories
— Manu Bhaker (@realmanubhaker) July 28, 2024
“When I got this Olympics accreditation card from the IOA, thanks to PT Usha Madam and Captain Ajay Narang, I was happy,” said Rana. “I am thankful to them. But I know what all hurdles I faced even after that.”
Manu’s pistol had malfunctioned in Tokyo three years ago, as she missed out on a place in the final. For whatever reason, Rana soon became the villain of the piece. It’s a role he has struggled with, even more so now that he and his ward are the toasts of a nation.
“All those who abused me, made me a villain after Tokyo, when I was not even present there are now wanting interviews from me,” he said. “No problem, I did interviews, but are these people going to make up my losses in life at large?”
His future remains uncertain. “Manu is the star, I am just a jobless coach,” he said, with no hint of irony. “I am nobody. Manu made me relevant by asking me to help her. I need to find a job soon. These three years have been very tough for me. I never wanted to talk about this, but you wanted my story, so hear it.
“I don’t know what is in store in my life, I will wait till I return to India. Till Manu finishes her last two matches, I will be around. Just because you asked me, I am saying all this. I need a job, to be unemployed for three years hurts.”
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