Born on October 3, 1945 in Sukhumi.

Athletics, Triple Jumper,
Champion of the XIX, XX and XXI Olympic Games (1968, Mexico City - 17,39m, 1972, Munich - 17,35m, 1976 Montreal - 17,29m), second-prize winner of the XXII Olympics (1980, Moscow - 17,24m), eight-fold winner of the European Winter and Summer Championships (1969, 1971-1972, 1974-1977), six-fold champion (1968-1970, 1973-1974, 1978) and second-prize winner (1967) of the USSR, Champion of the V (1971) and the VI (1975) USSR People Sports Contest, four-fold winner of the European Cup (1970, 1973-1975), Champion of the World Student Games (1971), three-fold World Record Holder (1968 - 17,23 m and 17,39 m; 1972 - 17,44 m). The best individual result - 17,44 m. The three-fold Best Athlete of the year of Georgia (1968, 1972, 1976). The Best Athlete of Georgia in the XX Century (Gold Prize). Honored Master of Sports of the USSR, Commander of the IOC Order, Order of Honor and the Vakhtang Gorgasali I and II rank Orders. Has been living in Australia since 1992 and carries Australian citizenship.He was an Olympic Attaché of Georgia during the Sydney Olympic Games (2000).