Born on January 3, 1963 in Khuruti (Oni). Free-style wrestler (130 kg.)

Champion of the XXIV Olympic Games (1988 Seoul), third-prize winner of the XXV Olympic Games (1992 Barcelona), two-fold world champion (1985, 1990) and a second-prize winner (1986), three-fold winner of the World Cup (1986, 1987, 1988), European Champion (1985), Champion of Goodwill Games (1990), Champion of the IX USSR Peoples Spartakiads (1986), three-fold Champion of the USSR (1985, 1986, 1988), two-fold second- (1987, 1989) and third-prize winner (1990), Champion of the CIS (1992). The Best Georgian Athlete of the year (1985, 1990). Honored Master of Sports of Georgia. Recipient of the Order of Honor and the Vakhtang Gorgasali II class Order.