After the renewal of partnership, Jaspal Rana will only be the personal coach of Tokyo Olympian and pistol shooter Manu Bhaker.
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Renowned pistol shooter Jaspal Rana who is a multiple Asian Games gold medalist, has announced his reunion with Indian shooter Manu Bhaker as her coach, nearly two years after their much-publicized split. The talented Manu, known for her impressive record of gold medals in World Cups, a silver medal at the World Championships, and a championship title at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, had previously severed ties with Rana due to reported irreconcilable differences ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. It was believed that their separation had adversely affected Manu’s performance in Tokyo, where she also faced a pistol malfunction that left her visibly upset.
In an interview, Jaspal Rana confirmed their renewed partnership and stated, “Yes, I will be pairing up with Manu Bhakar and will train her. It’s confirmed. I will be coaching just Manu and not the entire Indian pistol team. I’ll be her personal coach.” Rana emphasized that his focus would extend beyond technical aspects and concentrate significantly on the mental side of Manu’s game and aim to bring out the champion within her.
The initiative to reconcile reportedly originated from Manu’s side, with Rana acknowledging her efforts. He added, “It was between me and Manu, nobody else was involved in us deciding to pair up again.” Rana made it clear that their reunion marked a fresh start, with any past disagreements left behind. He emphasized that their discussions would revolve strictly around shooting and maintaining a professional approach.
While Rana has commenced training Manu for the upcoming Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou and the World Championships, he has refrained from making any commitments regarding medal expectations. Rana acknowledged the mental and technical challenges that Manu had faced over the past two years and expressed confidence in her ability to overcome them. He stated, “She’s a champion, and she will come out of it.”
Rana acknowledged the demanding nature of achieving podium finishes, especially in events like the Olympics. He also highlighted the significance of hard work and a positive mindset for both himself and Manu. However, due to not being a part of the national coaching setup, Rana clarified that he would not accompany Manu during international competitions as only national coaches are permitted to travel with the Indian squads. However, Rana remains dedicated to training Manu with regular communication and coaching sessions.
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