This page lists notable people from Dagestan.
Historical figures
Abdulkhakim Ismailov (1916–2010), World War II soldier. He was photographed by Yevgeny Khaldei raising the flag of the Soviet Union over the Reichstag in Berlin on 2 May 1945, days before Nazi Germany's surrender Abdullah ad-Daghestani (1891–1973), Sheikh of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi order Gasret Aliev (1922–1981), soldier, awarded "Hero of Soviet Union" medal Ghazi Muhammad (1793–1832), Islamic scholar and ascetic, who was the first Imam of the Caucasian Imamate (from 1828 to 1832) Hadji Murad (1795 –1852), Avar leader during the resistance of the peoples of Dagestan and Chechnya in 1811–1864 against the incorporation of the region into the Russian Empire, he was also a rival to Imam Shamil Husenil Muhammad Afandi (1862–1967), Muslim spiritual leader, Sheikh of Naqshbandi tariqah Imam Shamil (1797–1871), political, military, and spiritual leader of Caucasian resistance to Imperial Russia in the 1800s; his likeness is used within modern times as a symbol of resistance to Russian rule Magomet Gadzhiyev (1907–1942), World War II submarine commander and Hero of the Soviet Union Maksud Alikhanov (1846–1907), Russian Lieutenant-General, Merv District Head and Tiflis Governor Said Afandi al-Chirkawi (1937–2012), spiritual leader of Dagestani Muslims, Sheikh of Naqshbandi and Shazali tariqas Vazif Meylanov (1940–2015), Soviet dissident, political prisoner, political activist
Arts
Alla Dzhalilova (1908–1992), ballerina, artist of the Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic Aubri Ibrag (2001-), Dagestani-Australian actress Anatoly Yagudaev (1935–2014), Mountain Jew sculptor, held an honorary title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation Boris Gavrilov (1908–1990), Mountain Jew Soviet writer, poet, dramatist, founder of the Mountain Jewish school of writing Daniil Atnilov (1913–1968), Mountain Jew Soviet poet Eduard Puterbrot (1940–1993), Dagestan artist and member of the USSR Union of Artists Fazu Aliyeva (1932–2016), poet, novelist and journalist Hasbulla Magomedov (2002-) Comedian, entertainer and internet sensation Hizgil Avshalumov (1913–2001), Soviet novelist, poet, playwright; wrote in Juhuri (language of the Mountain Jews) as well as in Russian Israel Tsvaygenbaum (b. 1961), Russian-American artist Maksud Sadikov (1963–2011), Rector (Islam), professor in International Relations Manuvakh Dadashev (1913–1943), Mountain Jew Soviet poet Mikhail Gavrilov (1926–2014), Mountain Jew Soviet writer, poet Mishi Bakhshiev (1910–1972), Mountain Jew Soviet poet Musaib Dzhum-Dzhum (1905–1974), Soviet theatre director Mushail Mushailov (1941–2007), Mountain Jew painter, member of the USSR Union of Artists and Israel Rasul Gamzatov (1923–2003), Avar poet, writer, political activist Sergey Izgiyayev (1922–1972), Mountain Jew Soviet poet, playwright, translator Suleyman Stalsky (1869–1937), poet Tamara Musakhanov (1924–2014), Mountain Jew sculptor, ceramist, member of the USSR Union of Artists and Israel Tankho Israelov (1917–1981), Mountain Jew ballet dancer, choreographer, People's Artist of the USSR (c. 1978) Zoya Semenduev (1929–2020), Mountain Jew Soviet poet
Boxing
Abdulkadir Abdullayev (b. 1988), In 2015 he won a gold medal at the European Games and a bronze at the world championships Albert Batyrgaziev (b. 1998), Winner of the gold medal in the featherweight division at the 2020 Summer Olympics Albert Selimov (b. 1986), He is best known for being the only man to defeat Vasyl Lomachenko in the amateur ranks. Competing for Russia he won the 2007 world title, the 2008 World Cup, and two European titles, in 2006 and 2010 Ali Alnoiyev (b. 1983), Russian amateur boxer best known for winning the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships Arslanbek Makhmudov (b. 1989), Russian professional boxer who has held the WBC-NABF heavyweight title since 2019 Arthur Biyarslanov (b. 1995), Undefeated professional boxer who won a gold medal in the Pan American Games, and competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics Artur Beterbiev (b. 1985), ethnic Chechen, raised in Dagestan, Professional Boxer who is currently holding the IBF light-heavyweight title since 2017 and the WBC light heavyweight title since 2019 Dzhambulat Bizhamov 2021 silver medalist at world championship, many times young European champion, world young champion, 2 time Russian champion of boxing. Gaydarbek Gaydarbekov (b. 1976), Boxer of Avar heritage, who has won two Olympic medals in Middleweight including the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.Today he is perhaps best known for defeating future boxing superstar Gennady Golovkin in the 2004 Olympic finals Gazimagomed Jalidov (b. 1995), olympian at 2020 Summer Olympics, arrived in Spain as a refugee in 2004 Kamil Djamaloudinov (b. 1979), won the bronze medal in the featherweight division (– 57 kg) at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia Khabib Allakhverdiev (b. 1982), professional Boxer; former WBA, IBO, Super Welterweight champion Magomed Abdulhamidov (b. 1986), olympic boxer who garnered mainstream attention when he was controversially disqualified during the 2012 Olympic Games several hours after he was initially declared the winner of his bronze medal match Magomed Abdusalamov (b. 1981), is a Russian former heavyweight professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2013; in 2013, Abdusalamov was forced to retire from the sport due to severe brain injuries sustained during his only career defeat Magomed Aripgadjiev (b. 1977), won a silver medal in the light heavyweight division (– 81 kg) at the 2004 Summer Olympics Magomed Kurbanov (b. 1995), undefeated Russian professional boxer who fights as a light middleweight Magomed Omarov (b. 1989), super Heavyweight amateur boxer best known to win the 2011 European Amateur Boxing Championships Magomed Nurutdinov Welterweight boxer 2008 European champion, 2005 World vice-champion. Magomedrasul Majidov (b. 1986), won a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight division (+91 kg) at the 2012 Summer Olympics and gold medals at the 2017, 2013 and 2011 World Championship Muslim Gadzhimagomedov (b. 1997), won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the Heavyweight division Nurmagomed Shanavazov (b. 1965), best known for handling Riddick Bowe his first defeat at an international competition Radzhab Butaev (b. 1995), Russian professional boxer former WBA (Regular) welterweight champion. Ruslan Khairov (b. 1976), He competed in the Welterweight (– 69 kg) division, and won bronze medals at the 2003 World Amateur Boxing Championships and 2004 European Amateur Boxing Championships Sultan Ibragimov(b. 1975), retired professional boxer held the WBO heavyweight title from 2007 to 2008. As an amateur he won silver medals at the 2000 Olympics and 2000 European Championships, and bronze at the 2001 World Championships, all in the heavyweight division. Sharabutdin Ataev, 2023 World and 2024 European champion of boxing in the cruiserweight division. Vadim Musaev, IBO world champion in the welterweight division. Zemfira Magomedalieva (b.1988) won a bronze medal in Boxing at the 2020 Summer Olympics at Women's middleweight
Business and Politics
Adam Amirilayev (b. 1967), politician Ahmad Afandi Abdulaev (b. 1959), mufti of Dagestan Magomedali Magomedov (b. 1930), politician who served as the Head of the State Council of Dagestan from 1992 to 2006 Magomedsalam Magomedov (b. 1964), politician who served as Head of the Republic of Dagestan. Son of Magomedali Magomedov Mukhu Aliyev (b. 1940), politician who served as Head of the Republic of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov (b. 1946), politician who served as Head of the Republic of Dagestan Sevil Novruzova (c. 1977), lawyer, advocate for returning former Islamist insurgents Suleyman Kerimov (b. 1966), businessman, investor, philanthropist and politician; featured on Forbes list as one of the richest people in Russia; founded the Suleyman Kerimov Foundation as a vehicle for charitable projects Ramazan Abdulatipov (b. 1946), politician who served as Head of the Republic of Dagestan Ziyavudin Magomedov (b. 1968), Russian billionaire businessman
Fencing Vladimir Nazlymov (b. 1945), six-time medalist in fencing in the Olympic Games, including three team gold medals
Football
Amir Ibragimov U18 Manchester United player and England U-16 player, playing forward. Adil Ibragimov (b. 1989), football player Akhmed Kurbanov (b. 1986), former football player Albert Gadzhibekov (b. 1988), former professional football player of Lezgin descent Aleksandr Maslov (b. 1969), football coach, former player Ali Gadzhibekov (b. 1989), football player of Lezgin descent Alibek Aliev (b. 1996), born in Russia, represents Sweden internationally, relocated to Sweden at the age of six Alikadi Saidov (b. 1999), football player Amir Gasanov (b. 1987), former professional football player Anvar Gazimagomedov (b. 1988), professional football player, plays as a right midfielder Arslan Aydemirov (b. 1977), former midfielder Arslan Khalimbekov (b. 1967), former midfielder, manager Azim Fatullayev (b. 1986), defensive midfielder, centre back Dzhamal Dibirgadzhiyev (b. 1996), striker, forward Gadzhi Bamatov (b. 1982), former Forward (association football) Gamid Agalarov (b. 2000), centre-forward Islamnur Abdulavov (b. 1994), forward Kamalutdin Akhmedov (b. 1986), former defender Kamil Agalarov (b. 1988), Right Back Magomed-Shapi Suleymanov (b. 1999), winger Mahammad Mirzabeyov (b. 1990), right back Mehdi Jannatov (b. 1992), Goalkeeper Mikhail Kupriyanov (b. 1973), manager, former defender Murad Hüseynov (b. 1989), forward Murad Magomedov (b. 1973), defender, holds an Israeli identity card Mutalip Alibekov (b. 1997), centre back Nikita Chistyakov (b. 2000), left-back Nikita Timoshin (b. 1988), defender, midfielder Ramazan Isayev (b. 1998), forward Rasim Tagirbekov (b. 1984), defender, midfielder of Lezgin descent Ruslan Agalarov (b. 1974), midfielder Rustam Gadzhiyev (b. 1978), defender Rustam Khalimbekov (b. 1996), defender, midfielder Said Aliyev (b. 1998), forward Serder Serderov (b. 1994), winger, forward Sergei Dementyev (b. 1971), former midfielder Sergei Kozhanov (b. 1964), defender, midfielder, striker Shamil Asildarov (b. 1983), striker Shamil Gasanov (b. 1993), defender, midfielder Shamil Lakhiyalov (b. 1979), former forward of Avar ethnicity Shamil Saidov (b. 1982), former goalkeeper Sharif Mukhammad (b. 1990), centre back, defensive midfielder Valiabdula Magomedov (b. 1986), former midfielder Viktor Kuzmichyov (b. 1992), midfielder, defender Yuri Udunyan (b. 1994), midfielder, defender
Judo Mansur Isaev (b. 1986), In 2012, he won the gold medal in judo at the 2012 Summer Olympics Rasul Salimov (b. 1981), won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Judo Championships Tagir Khaybulaev (b. 1984), In the 2012 Summer Olympics, Khaybulaev won a gold medal for Judo Nazim Huseynov (b. 1969) of Lezgin origin, olympic champion of the 1992 edition in the 60kg category. Renat Saidov (b. 1988) Olympian, won the Tokyo 2014 Grand Slam and the 2014 and 2016 Grand prix in Judo. Murad Chopanov (b. 1998), won gold medals at the 2021 Kazan, 2024 Astana and 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam's. Ramazan Abdulaev (b. 1998), gold medals at the 2023 Baku, 2024 Baku, 2024 Astana and 2023 Dushanbe Grand Slam's.
Mixed martial arts
Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov (1962–2020), late founder and head trainer of Eagles MMA, the head training camp for all Dagestani Combat Sports Athletes; father and coach of former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov Abubakar Nurmagomedov (b. 1989), MMA Fighter previously competed in the UFC's Welterweight division Ali Bagautinov (b. 1985), former UFC fighter in the flyweight division. Combat Sambo World Champion Askar Askarov (b. 1992), former UFC fighter in the flyweight division. 2017 Summer Deaflympics 61 kg freestyle wrestling gold medalist