Handball World in Shock: Eduard Koksharov Passes Away
Legendary Russian left wing, Olympic champion, and Meshkov Brest head coach Eduard Koksharov passed away suddenly at the age of 50.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. It is with profound sorrow that we announce the sudden passing, at the age of 50, of the head coach of our handball club, Olympic champion, world champion, and EHF Champions League winner, Eduard Aleksandrovich Koksharov. HC Meshkov Brest expresses its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Eduard Aleksandrovich. We will remember him as a man who left a deep mark on our team and in the hearts of everyone who knew him. This is an irreparable loss for the entire handball family and a great shock for the global handball community,” the club said in its statement.
The great handball star enjoyed the finest years of his career at Celje Pivovarna Laško, where he won the EHF Champions League in 2004. He spent 12 seasons in Celje before ending his playing career at Chekhovskie Medvedi. As a Russian international, he was selected six times to all-star teams at major tournaments, winning the World Championship in 1997 and Olympic gold three years later in Sydney.
As a coach, he worked with both the men’s and women’s teams of Vardar, served as head coach of the Russian national team, coached Rostov-Don, and most recently led Meshkov Brest.
