Born on March 15, 1948 in Sagarejo.

Free-style wrestler (82,90 and 100 kg), Champion of the XX and XXI Olympic Games (1972, Munich, 1976, Montreal). Five-fold World Champion: Four times in free-style wrestling (1971, 1973, 1974, and 1975) and once in Sambo (1973). Second-prize winner of the World Championship (1978), winner of the World Cup (1973), three-fold European Champion (1974, 1976, 1978), Champion of the V USSR People Sports Contest (1971), two-fold Champion of the USSR (1973, 1974), the USSR Best Athlete of the year (Bronze prize). Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. Commander of the Vakhtang Gorgasali II class Order, the Orders of IOC and FILA, and the Order of Honor.