Sunny Thomas, who mentored many of the country’s top shooters — including Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra — passed away on Wednesday in his hometown of Uzhavoor in Kottayam, Kerala, following a cardiac arrest. He was 83.
For decades, the name Sunny Thomas has echoed through Indian shooting — not for medals won, but for dreams nurtured and legends shaped. A national champion in 1976, Thomas began his career as an English lecturer at St. Stephen’s College in Uzhavoor. His passion for shooting led him to coaching, where he left a lasting mark on the nation’s sporting history.
Thomas took charge as the National Coach of the Indian shooting team in 1993, a role that would define an era. In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with the Dronacharya Award in 2001.
Under his calm yet purposeful leadership, Indian shooters not only qualified for the Olympics but began to believe they could win. A defining moment of this period came with Abhinav Bindra’s historic win in Men’s 10m Air Rifle at the 2008 Beijing Olympics — India’s first-ever individual Olympic gold. This achievement marked a turning point in Indian sports and highlighted the impact of Thomas’s coaching philosophy.
In addition to Bindra’s triumph, Thomas was also part of the coaching staff when Rajyavardhan Rathore won silver in Men’s Double Trap at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Thomas remained at the helm for nearly two decades — from 1993 to 2012 — a period that saw the rise of many elite shooters. His coaching style blended discipline, technical precision, and emotional intelligence. He wasn’t just a coach — he was a mentor, often understanding an athlete’s mindset even before they stepped onto the range.
After stepping down as national coach in 2012, Thomas continued to shape the future of Indian shooting. He started a shooting range at the Idukki Rifle Association in Kottayam, where he worked closely with budding talent, passing on his deep knowledge and passion for the sport.
Abhinav Bindra, deeply moved by the loss, shared a heartfelt tribute to Thomas on X:
“Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Prof. Sunny Thomas. He was more than a coach — he was a mentor, guide, and father figure to generations of Indian shooters. His belief in our potential and his relentless dedication to the sport laid the foundation for India’s rise in international shooting. He played a big role in my early years, and I’ll always be grateful for his support and guidance. Rest in peace, sir. Your impact is everlasting.”
Thomas often emphasized that his role was not just to teach technical skills but to instill belief in his shooters — guiding them to trust in their own potential and capabilities.
Thomas is survived by his wife, KJ Josamma, sons Manoj and Sanil, and daughter Sonia, who have been his strong support throughout his life and career.
As Indian shooters continue to shine at global events, the invisible fingerprints of Sunny Thomas remain on every trigger pulled in triumph. His passing may mark the end of an era, but his legacy will live on every time an Indian shooter steps onto the world stage — with belief, discipline, and a dream.