There he graduated from the Stavropol Pedagogical Institute. He began training in athletics in 1963 and became a member of the Soviet team in 1970. In 1972 he was awarded the Medal "For Distinguished Labour".
At that educational institution, he graduated from the Stavropol Pedagogical Institute. He began athletic training in 1963 and joined the Soviet team in 1970. In 1972, he was awarded the "For Distinguished Labour" medal.