Born on July 10, 1950 in Gvlevi (Kareli), Judoist (93kg, 95 kg),

Champion of the XX Olympic Games (1972 Munich), third-prize winner of the XXI Olympic Games (1976, Montreal), third-prize winner of the World Championship (1975), three-fold second- (1973, 1974, 1975) and third-prize (1977) winner of the European Championship, two-fold second-prize winner (1974, 1977) and a two-fold third-prize winner (1974, 1975) of the USSR Championship, two-fold absolute wrestler of Georgia in Georgian-style wrestling (1972, 1977). Winner of international tournaments of the Netherlands (1974), Japan (1971, 1974), and Belgium (1973). Honored Master of Sports of the USSR, awarded the Order of Honor and the Vakhtang Gorgasali II class Order. Died on August 27, 2009.