‘We were really looking forward to Japan’: Manu Bhaker tearfully remembers late coach Jaspal Rano

Manu Bhaker remembers late coach Jaspal Rana (Image credit: Agencies) NAGOYA: Manu Bhaker looked disappointed after finishing fifth (181.1) in the women’s 10m air pistol. The position hasn’t changed from the previous edition of the Asian Games, but almost everything else has.In Hangzhou, she was part of the golden trio in the team competition. More importantly, she reunited with her coach Jaspal Rana before the Games began.This time she didn’t have a medal or the man who was such a significant part of her shooting journey.When Manu walked into the mixed zone after the finale, it was evident that she was struggling to contain her emotions. She was doing well until the conversation turned to Rana, who died in June.Rana, one of the most decorated shooters in Asian Games history with eight medals, including four golds in three editions, was absent from the Hangzhou Games as he was not part of the Indian contingent.Manu and Rana looked forward to these games. It wasn’t meant to be.“We were really looking forward to going to Japan,” the 24-year-old said before tears started rolling down her face.She stepped back for a few minutes to calm down before returning.“I remember what he said, not once or twice, but all the time. It just stays with you. When a person has been a big part of your life, it stays. It’s very natural,” she said.“Of all the things he said, I remember process the most. He was so adamant about process — that at any point in your life, you have to be able to perform at your best and follow your process.”Then came a thought that seemed to go beyond shooting.“Life is just very unpredictable. So live your life to the fullest, be kind to everyone,” she said.The past few months have been particularly difficult for Manu. Along with the loss of Rana, she also lost her grandmother.A medal was widely expected in Nagoya, and Manu felt the weight of that expectation. “I honestly tried my best. I’m really sorry I couldn’t get on the podium. I hope I can do better,” she said.The final itself reflected the turbulence of the previous months.Manu got off to a solid start and was third after the opening set, scoring just 8.9, sending her to seventh place. She fought back with 10.1 and 10.4 before a 10.8 lifted her from the brink of elimination. The roller coaster continued. Another 10.8 put her back in third place, but a 9.6 in the next series ended her medal hopes and left her fifth.Her coach Jelena Arunovic was not surprised by the performance. “During our practice in Bhopal, final-like practices were organized. Compare the performance from there to here, it’s a bit better. That’s what my coach told me too,” said Manu.As she left, the panda pimple patch on her left cheek was about the only thing that looked cheerful.