New Delhi: Five-time Olympian Randhir Singh died on Wednesday morning in New Delhi. The Arjuna Award-winning shooter was 80. He suffered a brain stroke earlier in the day and could not recover. His cremation will be held in Haridwar on Thursday. The news of his death was confirmed by National Rifle Association of India secretary Rajiv Bhatia.
“With deep sorrow, we share the sad news of the passing of Raja Randhir Singh, who left for his heavenly abode today, on 27th May, 2026,” Bhatia was quoted by PTI.
Born into the royal family of Patiala, Randhir Singh scripted history at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok. He became the first Indian shooter to win an Asian Games gold medal after clinching the men’s trap title. His success continued at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, where he added a silver medal in the team event and an individual bronze to his growing list of achievements. In recognition of his contribution to Indian sport, he was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1979.
Singh made a mark at the Olympics as well. He represented India at five Olympics—Mexico City 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984—for trap shooting. Although an Olympic medal eluded him, his longevity and consistency established him as one of India’s most-respected shooting athletes.
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Athlete to administrator
Following his retirement from competitive shooting in 1994, Singh transitioned into sports administration, where he went on to wield influence within the Olympic movement. He became Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and earned widespread respect for his administrative leadership.
Interestingly, during his final international appearance as an athlete in 1994, he created another unique milestone by becoming the first athlete to compete at the Asian Games, while simultaneously serving as an office bearer in a continental sports body. It was a rare distinction that reflected his growing influence off the field.
“Once his shooting career was over, Randhir quickly became a deeply respected member of the Olympic Movement, and especially the NOC [National Olympic Committees] family. He was a strong advocate for NOCs no matter their location, and an influential figure in the Indian NOC and OCA. He will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him, and the thoughts of ANOC are with his family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” said Gunilla Lindberg, Secretary General, Association of National Olympic Committee.
The National Rifle Association of India also mourned Singh’s loss. NRAI President, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, called it an “irreplaceable loss”, not only for the “sport of Shooting, but for the entire Olympic sporting fraternity in India.”
Apart from OCA, he held different positions at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Indian Olympic Association, and World Anti-Doping Agency.
Singh served as India’s sole representative at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2001 to 2014 and continued as an honorary member thereafter. He played a significant role in bringing prominent international sporting events to India, including the 2003 Afro-Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
He also served as the vice chairman of 2010 Commonwealth Games in India and became the first Indian to preside over the Olympic Council of Asia in 2024.
In September 2024, he became the first Indian to be elected president of the OCA at the body’s 44th General Assembly in New Delhi. Though elected for a four-year term until 2028, his tenure ended prematurely earlier this year due to ill health.
Singh is survived by his wife Vinita Singh and three daughters, Mahima Kumari, Sunaina Kumari and Rajeshwari Kumari. Sunaina has served as Vice President of IOA in the past, while Rajeshwari is an Asian Games medallist in shooting.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)