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Asiad's top female athlete to receive Jaspal Rana memorial trophy

India's shooting fraternity will honour legendary marksman Jaspal Rana through an annual award recognising the best female athlete at the Asian Games. The tribute comes months after the World Champion and Asiad icon's death at 49.

LSN India · 15 September 2026

In a significant tribute to one of Indian shooting's greatest champions, the best female athlete at the Asian Games will henceforth receive the Jaspal Rana Trophy. The initiative honours the legacy of the accomplished marksman who passed away earlier this year, leaving a profound impact on the nation's sporting community.

Rana, a World Champion and Asian Games superstar, was widely regarded as a pioneer who elevated shooting's profile in Indian athletics. His sudden death at the age of 49 sent shockwaves through the sports establishment, prompting tributes from athletes, administrators, and officials across disciplines.

The annual award represents a fitting recognition of Rana's contributions to Indian sport and his enduring influence on the next generation of athletes. By associating his name with excellence in women's athletics at the Asian Games, the sporting community seeks to perpetuate the values and achievements he embodied throughout his illustrious career.

The decision reflects the deep respect commanded by Rana within Indian sports circles, where he remains remembered not only for his competitive achievements but also for his role in advancing the sport domestically and internationally.