Paris Olympics 2024: Jaspal Rana's father opens up on how 1996 Olympian became Manu Bhaker's backbone

Dehradun, Jul 30: Jaspal Rana knows the pressures of the Olympic stage all too well. Competing in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, he faced the challenge of adapting to events beyond his forte.

Despite his best efforts, Rana's Olympic journey was a tough one, finishing last in the 50m air pistol and 29th in the 10m air pistol. Paris 2024 Shooting: Not one, two Ranas produced this Olympic bronze medal for India!

Jaspal Rana s father opens up on how 1996 Olympian became Manu Bhaker s backbone

The margins were razor-thin, with his total just seven points shy of making the finals. After 1996, he never returned to the Olympics as a competitor. That is, until now. Not as an athlete, but as the guiding force behind India's rising star, Manu Bhaker.

Manu Bhaker, an extraordinary talent in Indian shooting, rediscovered her passion and focus under Rana's mentorship. Their story is a testament to the power of resilience, forgiveness, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence.

Their reunion came after a simple, yet profound phone call. Manu, seeking guidance and support, reached out to her former coach. The conversation was short, with no room for egos or past grievances, only a genuine cry for help. This marked the beginning of their renewed partnership.

MyKhel reached Jaspal Singh Rana's home in Dehradun where his father Narayan Singh Rana shared insights into how this win was much greater than that of just Manu Bhaker.

"When Manu hit the target, it reminded us more of the journey Jaspal and Manu had. As much as the two have worked hard this result was supposed to come. At the Olympics, the entire world's eyes are on you. And on a stage like that, Manu has performed really well, she could have done better"

"As for Jaspal, he didn't travel with the pool of coaches from the government. He helped her get ready for over a year. Jaspal had a stellar career till 2006. He had a hat trick in the Asian Games and three gold medals. All these experiences he had, he shared them all with Manu which she could make proper use of." he added.

During the finals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Manu's eyes frequently sought out Rana in the stands. Positioned in the third row, Rana was equipped with a stop clock and his phone, tracking every critical moment.

"I don't know if you have seen it but Jaspal was sitting in the audience and the moment she took the final shot, he jumped with joy because it was his win as well," concluded Narayan Singh.

This wasn't always the case. After a public fallout post-Tokyo Olympics, where Manu endured a shocking performance, the two didn't speak for over a year. The blame game played out publicly, with Manu accusing Rana of being the cause of her failure, and Rana calling her immature.

The tension reached a point where Rana wore a t-shirt mocking a message from Manu's mother, and the national federation also got involved, with the former president holding Rana responsible for the shooting debacle. Rana then took a sabbatical, and Manu continued to struggle throughout 2021 and 2022.

As the Paris Olympics approached, Manu realized that her best performances came under Rana's guidance. Despite advice against it, she sought out Rana, recognizing his ability to bring out her best and build her confidence.

Rana's straightforward, no-nonsense approach had earned him a reputation as a 'rabble-rouser' within the shooting community. Despite this, Manu knew that her career needed his mentorship.

Their story is one of redemption, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a coach and his protégé. It underscores the idea that true success often comes from overcoming the darkest times and finding strength in each other to rise again.