Manu Bhaker's former coach declares 'I am just a jobless coach': The story behind the public fallout with Jaspal Rana

Manu Bhaker has been making headlines with her remarkable achievements at the Paris Olympics 2024, where she has clinched two Bronze medals and has etched her name as the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in a single Olympics.

As she soars to new heights, one voice from her past is stepping forward with a poignant reflection.

Her former coach, Jaspal Rana, who guided her until their fallout before the Tokyo Olympics, recently said in an interview with RevSportz, "Manu is the star, and I am just a jobless coach."

Jaspal Rana tells all

Jaspal Rana/ NRAI

In a heartfelt interview with RevSportz, Jaspal Rana opened up about the struggles he has faced since his split with Manu Bhaker. Reflecting on his role, Rana said, "I am nobody, I just did a job Manu wanted me to help her out with."

He revealed, "But are people aware I have had no monthly salary from the National Rifle Association of India or any other agency over the last three years?"

Despite these hardships, Rana expressed his satisfaction with Bhaker's accomplishments, stating, "I am more than happy Manu has shown what she can do, I only tapped into her potential."

IANS

What had happened between Manu Bhaker and her former coach Jaspal Rana?

Manu Bhaker and Jaspal Rana first joined forces before the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, a turning point for Bhaker.

At just 16, she made headlines with a gold medal and a new Games record, and Rana, newly appointed as her coach, quickly forged a strong bond with the rising star.

Also read: 'Khelne do': Bhaker's Olympic win sparks call to prioritise sports, with the message 'your kids will make the country proud'

Their partnership flourished in 2019 when Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary captured five consecutive gold medals in mixed team events at the ISSF World Cups, solidifying their dominance.

Manu Bhaker with her former coach Jaspal Rana

However, tension began to surface when Rana expressed his reservations about Bhaker competing in multiple events¡ª10-meter air pistol, mixed team, and 25-meter pistol¡ªbelieving it was too much for a young athlete. Bhaker, however, disagreed with this assessment.

According to a source close to the situation, "A shooter's confidence is deeply tied to their coach, and it seemed Manu wasn't receiving that reassurance. She felt sidelined and experienced considerable mental pressure, feeling her potential was being questioned."

The fallout reached a dramatic climax in March 2021 during the New Delhi World Cup, an Olympic qualifying event.

Manu, frustrated by Rana's perceived neglect in her preparation, sent him a personal message expressing her dissatisfaction.

The situation took a bizarre turn when, on the day of the 10-meter final¡ªwhere Chinki Yadav won gold and Bhaker took bronze¡ªRana displayed Manu's personal message on his T-shirt at the shooting range.

Jaspal Rana displaying Bhaker's message on his shirt/ Quint

This public display of their internal conflict was both humiliating and avoidable, marking a dramatic end to their coaching relationship.

Three years later, Rana remains unemployed and has had no income during this period.

Currently residing in a town 300 kilometers from Paris, he says, "I need to go back to India and start afresh. I need to find a job to earn money."

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