Alzhan Zharmukhamedov

Alzhan Musurbekuly Zharmukhamedov (alternate spelling: Alzan Zarmuhamedov) (, Áljan Músirbekuly Jarmuhamedov; ; 2 October 1944 – 3 December 2022) was a Kazakh professional basketball player and coach. He was considered to be the first ethnic Kazakh to become an Olympic champion.

Playing career Jarmuhamedov played club basketball with CSKA Moscow (1970–1980). In 1971, he earned the title of Master of Sports of the USSR, International Class, and a year later, he was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor.

National team career While being young and driven by feelings of patriotism, Jarmuhamedov moved to Almaty (Alma-Ata at that time), in order to compete with the senior Kazakh SSR national basketball team. However, not being able to find any support, he finally decided to move to Moscow, where he was eventually able to earn world fame as a basketball player. He served as the team captain of the senior combined national basketball team of the Soviet Union for a long period. He won a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games, while playing with the senior Soviet Union national basketball team.

Coaching career At the tail end of his career, Jarmuhamedov worked as a player-coach, until he reached the age of 45.

Zharmukhamedov lived in Moscow. He died on 3 December 2022, at the age of 78. He was buried in the Federal Military Memorial Cemetery on 7 December.

Awards and accomplishments Club career 10× USSR Premier League Champion: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 FIBA European Champions Cup (EuroLeague) Champion: 1971 2× USSR Cup Winner: 1972, 1973 FIBA European Selection: 1972

Soviet senior national team EuroBasket 1967: 1970 FIBA World Championship: EuroBasket 1971: 1972 Summer Olympic Games: EuroBasket 1975: 1976 Summer Olympic Games: : 1978 FIBA World Championship: EuroBasket 1979: