Manu Bhaker

Indian shooting suffered a profound loss with the passing of legendary marksman and celebrated coach Jaspal Rana at the age of 49. A decorated athlete who won numerous international medals and later became one of the country's most respected coaches, Rana played a transformative role in shaping the careers of several shooters, including double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker. Struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, Bhaker described Rana as far more than a coach, calling him a mentor, guide and trusted friend.

A routine media question posed to Olympic shooter Manu Bhaker regarding teenage cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has unexpectedly ignited a broader public debate on social media about the hierarchy of sports recognition in India. The exchange occurred during the 75th anniversary celebrations of the National Rifle Association of India. While Bhaker responded in a balanced and encouraging manner, the framing of the question itself drew criticism online, with many users arguing that it reflected a systemic bias toward cricket over other sports.