Born on 25 November, 1942 in Mukhurcha, Martvili.

Greco-Roman style wrestler (63kg, 68 kg).
Champion of the XIX Olympic Games (1968, Mexico City), second-prize winner of the XVIII Olympic Games (1964 Tokyo), four-fold World Champion (1966, 1967, 1969, 1970), Champion of the III, IV, and V USSR People Sports Contests (1963, 1967, 1971), three-fold Champion of the USSR (1964, 1965, 1970), Chief Coach of the Georgian team of Greco-Roman style Wrestlers (1984-1985) and the national team of the USSR. (1984-1987). Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. Awarded the Vakhtang Gorgasali II class Order, the IOC and FILA Orders, and the Order of Honor.