Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Legendary Shooting Coach Sunny Thomas Dies at 83

Thomas, a transformative figure in Indian shooting, passed away at his Kerala home following a cardiac arrest, leaving behind a legacy of Olympic triumphs and institutional reforms.

Sunny Thomas. (Raninder Singh/X)

Overview

  • Sunny Thomas, a former English professor and national shooting champion, led India's national shooting team from 1993 to 2012.
  • Under his coaching, India secured 108 gold, 74 silver, and 53 bronze medals in major international competitions, including the Olympics, Asian Games, and World Championships.
  • He mentored Olympic medallists such as Abhinav Bindra, Major Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Vijay Kumar, and Gagan Narang, shaping India's global success in shooting.
  • Thomas was the first shooting coach to receive the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2001 for his contributions to the sport.
  • Even in his later years, he remained active in the shooting community, attending a local association meeting just weeks before his passing.