Shooting community mourns Pournima Zanane’s untimely death
A national record holder and a World Cupper, 42-year-old Pournima was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. She died on Monday.
India’s shooting fraternity mourned the demise of former Indian shooter and coach Pournima Zanane, who died on Monday at the age of 42 after succumbing to cancer.
Having represented India at multiple ISSF World Cups, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships, amongst other tournaments, Pournima Zanane was a national record holder in 10m Air Rifle event.
Pournima Zanane was diagnosed with cancer two years ago during the Nationals in Kerala and the International Shooting Sport Federation-licenced coach had undergone extensive treatment.
Beijing 2008 Games gold medallist Abhinav Bindra added that Nanded-born shooter will be “greatly missed.”
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) issued a statement of condolences.
"The National Rifle Association of India condoles the untimely sad demise of our international shooter and a coach - Ms Pournima Chinmoy Zanane, at a very young age,” read the statement
"Ms Pournima Zanane was an Air Rifle shooter and took part in many international competitions as Pournima Gawahne. At a later stage, she started coaching shooters and also coached the Sri Lankan team," the statement further read.
The shooter, who had started her career in Mumbai before shifting to Pune, was a contemporary of Suma Shirur and was part of the 2004 Asian Shooting Championships women’s team that won the silver medal.
Recollecting her Railways teammate, a Shiv Chhatrapati Sports awardee, Suma Shirur paid tribute as well.
India’s shooting coach and Manu Bhaker’s mentor Jaspal Rana was also a peer of Pournima Zanane.