Manu Bhaker

By Aaron Slegers , 13 June 2026

Indian sport is mourning the loss of one of its most influential figures following the passing of celebrated shooter and coach Jaspal Rana at the age of 49. Renowned for his remarkable achievements as an athlete and his transformative impact as a coach, Rana played a crucial role in shaping the careers of several elite shooters, most notably double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. As tributes poured in from across the sporting community, Bhaker's emotional remembrance highlighted the profound personal and professional influence Rana had on her life.

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By Victor Martinelli , 29 April 2026

An offhand media question directed at Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker regarding young cricket talent Vaibhav Suryavanshi has sparked a wider national conversation about the hierarchy of sports in India. The interaction occurred during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Rifle Association of India, where Bhaker responded diplomatically to the query. However, the framing of the question itself drew significant attention online, with many social media users criticising what they perceived as an overemphasis on cricket compared to Olympic sports.

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