Indian shooting legend Jaspal Rana breathed his last at the age of 49 on Friday morning at Max Hospital, Saket in the national capital. The news sent shockwaves through the Indian shooting community, particularly affecting his star pupil Manu Bhaker, who left a national training camp competition midway upon learning of her coach’s demise.

According to officials, Rana had fallen ill on a flight while returning from Munich on the night of June 1. He received initial medical attention abroad but was admitted to the Delhi hospital upon arrival, where doctors inserted a stent following cardiac evaluations. National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) president Kalikesh Narayan confirmed the passing.

Sudden Health Setback  

Rana reportedly experienced chest pain during the ISSF World Cup in Munich, initially dismissing it as acidity. His brother Subhash Rana told reporters that the discomfort intensified on the journey back, leading to immediate hospitalisation in Delhi. Despite medical intervention, the veteran coach could not recover.

Manu Bhaker’s Emotional Exit  

The tragedy hit hardest for Tokyo and Paris Olympian Manu Bhaker, who was competing in the 25-metre pistol event at the national training camp in Dehradun. Family members said they delayed informing her for several hours as she was mid-competition. Around 10 AM, when told of Rana’s death, Bhaker’s pistol reportedly slipped from her hand. She stood motionless for moments before sitting on the ground, visibly distraught, and abandoned the match. She has since postponed all her sporting commitments to travel directly from Dehradun to pay her final respects.

Bhaker won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics under Rana’s guidance as India’s high-performance coach for the 25m pistol event, a role he had held since February 2025.

Illustrious Career as Competitor  

Before transitioning to coaching, Rana carved out one of the most decorated careers in Indian shooting history. He secured eight medals at the Asian Games, including four golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. At the Commonwealth Games, he won 15 medals across four editions (1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006), with nine of them gold.

His standout moment came at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, where he clinched three gold medals and equalled the world record in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol. Even earlier, at just 18, he announced his arrival by winning gold at the 1994 Milan World Shooting Championship in the junior category with a world-record score, despite competing in severe pain from a knee abscess that had burst the previous night. That same year, he also earned a gold at the Hiroshima Asian Games and received the Arjuna Award.

Inspired by Father, Early Start  

Rana’s journey into shooting began at the age of ten, inspired by his father Narayan Singh Rana, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel. He started practising with both pistol and rifle but later specialised in pistol events. By age 11-12, he was already competing at state and national levels, winning a silver medal at the 31st National Shooting Championship in Ahmedabad at just 12 years old.

Tributes Pour In  

Leaders and sporting icons expressed profound grief. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a condolence message on X. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tribute in Hindi. Former cricketer and current Indian cricket coach Gautam Gambhir called Rana a “stalwart of Indian Sports” whose passing left a “huge void.” 

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra described him as a teammate who helped shape Indian shooting. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge termed him “a towering figure in Indian sport and one of our greatest shooting champions.”

Legacy Beyond Medals  

Beyond his personal achievements, Rana made a lasting impact as a junior team coach and high-performance trainer. His guidance helped elevate India’s pistol shooting standards on the global stage, with Manu Bhaker’s Paris success standing as recent testimony to his methods.

The Indian shooting fraternity now mourns not just a champion athlete but a mentor who bridged generations. As tributes continue to flow, Rana’s contributions are being remembered as foundational to the country’s rising stature in the sport.

Vinesh Phogat gets doping notice over missed test

The International Testing Agency has issued a notice to wrestler and Haryana MLA Vinesh Phogat for missing an out-of-competition doping test in Bengaluru on December 18, 2025, putting her on warning under the whereabouts rule. Phogat has been asked to respond by May 7, and officials said this was her first whereabouts violation in the past year.

According to the notice issued on May 4, the test was scheduled as part of routine anti-doping checks conducted outside competition hours. Such tests are meant to ensure athletes are available at the location they have declared in advance under the anti-doping whereabouts system.

The ITA’s communication says Phogat was not available when testers reached the designated place. For now, she has only received a warning, but a series of three missed tests or filing failures within a 12-month period can lead to a suspension of up to two years.

Phogat has said she was travelling from Bengaluru to Chandigarh on December 18 to attend the winter session of the Haryana Assembly. She also cited new family responsibilities and the recent birth of her child, saying she could not update her location in time because of a busy schedule.

She submitted her reply on January 19, 2026, according to the details available.

The whereabouts rule requires athletes in the testing pool to keep anti-doping agencies informed about where they will be, so they can be contacted for random testing. If an athlete is not found at the declared location, it is treated as a violation even if no banned substance is found.

For wrestlers and other elite athletes, out-of-competition testing is a regular part of the anti-doping framework and can happen at any time.

Phogat’s latest notice comes against the backdrop of a difficult two years in her wrestling career. She last competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024, where she wrestled three bouts in the 505050 kg category on August 6 before being disqualified ahead of the final after weighing 100100100 grams over the limit.

She announced her retirement from wrestling on August 8, 2024, but later reversed that decision on December 12, 2025, saying she wanted to target the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The development also follows Phogat’s latest remarks against former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. In a video posted on May 3, she said a Senior Open Ranking Wrestling Tournament is scheduled in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, from May 10 to 12, and expressed concern about competing in a place linked to the allegations she has made.

Phogat said her testimony in court is still underway and suggested it would be difficult for her to compete there with full focus. She added that if anything went wrong with any member of her team, the responsibility would lie with the Government of India.

The immediate focus now is on Phogat’s response to the ITA notice by May 7. While the first violation has brought only a warning, the matter could become more serious if additional whereabouts failures are recorded over the year. For now, the case sits at the intersection of sport, anti-doping compliance and Phogat’s active public and political profile.

Vinesh Phogat Ends 20-Month Hiatus with Return to Competitive Wrestling  

Wrestler set to compete in 57kg category at National Open Ranking Tournament after registration delay blamed on ‘technical issue’

Comeback Trail Begins in Gonda

Vinesh Phogat will step back onto the mat after nearly 20 months, marking her first competitive appearance since the Paris Olympics. The wrestler confirmed her registration for the National Open Ranking Tournament in Uttar Pradesh, scheduled in Gonda from May 10 to 12.

She will compete in the 57kg category, a shift from the 50kg weight class where she faced disqualification at the Paris Games last year.

Registration Delay Sparks Fresh Tension

The return, however, did not come without a glitch. On Tuesday morning, Vinesh posted on X saying her registration had been completed only after the link was closed the previous day. She thanked supporters but stopped short of naming anyone, though she had earlier alleged that the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) was creating hurdles.

“My registration was completed this morning. I could not register yesterday because the link was closed. Thank you to everyone for your support,” she wrote.

WFI Cites Portal Glitch

Responding to the delay, WFI officials said a technical issue had affected multiple wrestlers’ entries, not just Vinesh’s. The federation claimed her registration was actually finalised on Monday night at 10:29 PM, while Vinesh’s social media post came on Tuesday morning.

“The portal faced a temporary glitch. Once the link became active, all pending entries were processed,” a federation source explained. The clarification did little to erase the underlying friction between the wrestler and the governing body, which has persisted since last year’s protests and elections.

Paris Heartbreak Still Fresh

Vinesh had entered the Paris Olympics 2024 as a strong medal contender in 50kg freestyle. She reached the final but was disqualified before the title bout after weighing in 100 grams over the limit. The disqualification, as per Olympic rules, left her without a medal.

Deeply affected, she announced her retirement on August 8. But by December 2024, she withdrew that decision, signalling her desire to compete again.

Eyes on Asian Games and LA 2028

Now 30, Vinesh is targeting the upcoming Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Gonda tournament will serve as her first test of match fitness and mental readiness.

Off the mat, she has also taken on a political role, having been elected as an MLA from the Congress party in the Haryana Assembly elections held in late 2024. Balancing both arenas will be a new challenge.

Ground Realities in Gonda

Local authorities in Gonda expect heightened security and media attention during the May 10-12 event. For wrestling fans in Uttar Pradesh’s hinterland, Vinesh’s presence is a rare opportunity to watch an Olympic-level athlete up close.

“We are preparing for large crowds, especially on the days she competes,” a district sports officer said.

The tournament will also feature other national-level wrestlers, but Vinesh remains the headline act. Her performance here could determine how quickly she regains selection for international events later this year.

Viktor Axelsen Retires from Badminton at 32 Due to Persistent Back Injury

Two-time Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen hangs up his racket after a glittering career marred by recurring back problems in recent years.

Back Issues Force Early Exit

Danish shuttler Viktor Axelsen announced his retirement from professional badminton on Wednesday, bringing an end to a 16-year career that saw him dominate the men's singles circuit. The 32-year-old cited prolonged battles with back injuries as the primary reason for stepping away from the sport.

Axelsen shared the news through a social media post, where he reflected on his achievements while acknowledging the physical toll the game had taken. Sources close to the player indicated that doctors advised him to prioritise full recovery over continued competition.

Dominant Run Across Majors

Axelsen leaves behind an impressive legacy. He claimed back-to-back Olympic gold medals in men's singles, winning in Tokyo 2020 and successfully defending the title in Paris 2024. He also secured two World Championship titles in 2017 and 2022, becoming one of the few non-Asian players to achieve that feat.

The Dane held the world number one ranking for an extended period and lifted the European Championships title multiple times. He contributed significantly to Denmark's Thomas Cup triumphs as well. His powerful smashes and tactical acumen made him a formidable opponent for top shuttlers from Asia and beyond.

Injury Struggles in Final Years

For the past two years, Axelsen had been grappling with recurring back issues. He underwent surgery in April last year but suffered a setback in October. Despite attempts at rehabilitation, he could not regain the fitness levels needed for elite competition.

In a statement to Badminton Europe, Axelsen explained the situation clearly. “As most people know, I have been struggling with my back for quite some time. After I had surgery in April last year and went through a long rehabilitation process, I unfortunately had a setback in October. Since those tournaments, I have not been able to play or train at the level required… that is why I am unfortunately forced to make this extremely difficult decision.”

He added that while the choice felt unfair at times, he viewed his body’s efforts over the years with gratitude.

Tributes Pour In from Peers

Indian shuttler HS Prannoy, who has faced Axelsen on several occasions, was among the first to offer congratulations. “Happy retirement boss, wish you all the best,” Prannoy wrote on social media, extending warm wishes to his former rival.

Players and officials across the badminton world are expected to share similar sentiments in the coming hours, recognising Axelsen’s contribution to elevating the sport’s global profile.

Impact on Badminton Landscape

Axelsen’s retirement marks the end of an era for European badminton. His consistent success challenged the traditional Asian dominance in men’s singles and inspired a new generation of players from the continent.

In India, where badminton enjoys massive popularity following the successes of stars like PV Sindhu and the current crop of young talents, Axelsen was respected as a benchmark of excellence. His matches against Indian players often drew significant attention from fans.

The timing of his exit comes as the international circuit prepares for the next cycle of major events. His absence will create opportunities for emerging talents while leaving a void in the top ranks that will be hard to fill immediately.

What Lies Ahead for Axelsen

Axelsen mentioned that he looks back at his career with joy, highlighting the privilege of competing at the highest level and connecting with people from around the world. He is expected to focus on complete recovery in the coming months.

Whether he stays connected to badminton through coaching, mentoring, or other roles remains to be seen. For now, the focus remains on his health and the next chapter beyond professional competition.

A Career Etched in Gold

Viktor Axelsen’s journey from a promising junior to a two-time Olympic champion and world title winner stands as a testament to talent, resilience, and dedication. Though injuries cut short his final years on court, his achievements will continue to inspire shuttlers globally, including in India’s thriving badminton ecosystem.

As the sport moves forward, fans and players alike will remember the Dane for the grace with which he played and the dignity with which he has now chosen to step away.