Born on July 5, 1964 in Tbilisi. Free-style wrestler (100 kg).

Champion of the XXV Olympic Games (1992 Barcelona), second-prize winner of the XXIV Olympic Games (1988 Seoul), five-fold World Champion (1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993) and third-prize winner (1995), four-fold European Champion (1985, 1987, 1988, 1992), winner of the World Cup (1991), World Champion among boys (1982)andyouths (1983), three-fold Champion of the USSR (1985, 1987, 1988), Champion of the IX USSR Peoples Spartakiads (1986). Represented Russia in 1993-1996. Honored Master of Sports of the USSR, recipient of the Vakhtang Gorgasali II class Order.