It is with great sadness that the IHF has learnt of the passing of Eduard Koksharov, one of the most decorated handball players of his generation and head coach of HC Meshkov Brest at the time of his passing. Born on 4 November 1975 in Russia, Koksharov left an indelible mark on the sport both as a player of the highest calibre and as a respected coach who dedicated his life to handball until his very last days.

As a left winger, Koksharov was widely regarded as one of the most gifted players of his era, combining technical excellence with a sharp handball intelligence that made him a defining presence on the court for over two decades. 

His international career with the Russian national team reached its peak with two of the sport's highest honours: the gold medal at the 1997 IHF Men's World Championship in Japan and the gold medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, where Russia produced a dominant performances at the Games. 

He also claimed a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, and was a silver medallist at the 1999 IHF Men's World Championship in Egypt. A testament to his consistent brilliance on the world stage, Koksharov was named to the All-Star Team of the IHF Men's World Championship on four occasions, in 2001,2003, 2005 and 2007, one of the highest individual distinctions the sport can bestow upon a player.

At club level, Koksharov began his career at SKIF Krasnodar before making the move to Slovenian powerhouse RK Celje Pivovarna Laško, where he would enjoy the most successful chapter of his playing career. He became an eight-time Slovenian champion and was a key figure in the club's historic victory in the EHF Champions League in the 2003–04 season, the first and only Champions League title in Slovenian handball history. He later represented Chekhovskie Medvedi in Russia, winning two Russian Championship titles with the club.

After retiring from international competition in 2012, Koksharov transitioned into coaching, channelling his vast experience and handball knowledge into developing the next generation of players and teams. 

He began his coaching career at SKIF Krasnodar, before taking on the role of Sporting Director at RK Vardar Skopje in 2016,  a club he would later coach. In 2017, he was appointed head coach of the Russian national team, a role he held until January 2020. He subsequently served as head coach of Russian women's club Rostov-Don, before taking charge of HC Meshkov Brest in March 2023. Under his leadership, Meshkov Brest won the Belarusian Championship in both 2023 and 2024, and claimed the SEHA League title in 2023.

On behalf of the entire IHF handball family, IHF President Dr Hassan Moustafa wishes to express his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Eduard Koksharov, as well as to all those who worked alongside him throughout his remarkable career in handball. His legacy, as a World Champion, Olympic champion, and a leader on and off the court, will endure in the history of our sport.