Born on July 13, 1969 in Tskhinvali. Weightlifter (90kg, 94kg, 99kg). 

Champion of the XXV, XXVI and XXVII Olympic Games, three-fold World Champion (1995, 1998, 1999) and two-fold second-prize winner (1993, 1994), four-fold European Champion (1992, 1993, 1995, 1996), as well as the second-prize winner (1994) and the third-prize winner (1998) of the European Championship. Winner of the European Super Cup (1993) and the two-fold second-prize winner of the World Super Cup Competition (1992, 1994). World record holder in total: 420 kg (in 99kg category, 1996); two world records in snatch: 185,5 kg (in 91 kg category , 1994) and 188 kg (in 94 kg category, 1999); three world records in clean and jerk: 227,5 kg (in 91 kg category , 1995), 228,5 kg (in 91 kg category, 1995) and 235 kg (in 99 kg category, 1996). Honored Master of Sports. Awarded the Vakhtang Gorgasali II class Order. Represented Greece from 1994. Regained Georgian citizenship since 2005.