Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov joined the Harvard wrestling staff as a volunteer assistant for the 2008-09 season. Abdurakhmanov is one of the most accomplished wrestler in American University history and brought his knowledge and experience to the Harvard wrestling room.
The two-time Junior College National Champion and All-American comes to Harvard after coaching at his alma mater for two years.
Abdurakhmanov, one of the finest wrestlers to ever don the American University colors, made a lasting impression on the program in just two years. During the 2004-05 season, his first season at AU, Abdurakhmanov became the first EIWA champion in school history with a 12-11 decision over Derek Zinck of Lehigh at 157 lbs. Combined with his championship and a 27-1 overall record, Abdurakhmanov entered the NCAA Championship as a fourth seed. His tournament run was cut short as he was slowed by a knee injury and was eliminated in the third round.
Coming back at 165 lbs. for his senior year, Abdurakhmanov again dominated the competition. He defeated then-No. 13 Stephen Anceravage of Cornell, 9-3, in the EIWA finals for his second-consecutive conference championship and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. As a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, Abdurakhmanov placed third with his only loss coming by way of a 4-3 decision to the returning National Champion, Johny Hendricks of Oklahoma State, who later went on to repeat. His third-place finish, the highest in AU wrestling history at the time, earned Abdurakhmanov All-America honors.
Before becoming an Eagle, Abdurakhmanov spent two seasons at Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas. As a Trojan, Abdurakhmanov won two Junior College National Championships, was twice named a JUCO All-American and was also once named Outstanding Wrestler.
Abdurakhmanov is also a three-time Uzbekistan National Champion and a Junior World runner-up. In 2004 he placed second at the Sunkist International Tournament and in 2006 placed second in the New York Athletic Club International Tournament.