 His Olympic medal was the first Soviet gold medal in rowing.Later in 1955, facing strong competition against the rising star Vyacheslav Ivanov, he teamed with Aleksandr Berkutov.Together they won five consecutive European titles between 1956–61; the Henley Royal Regatta in 1957 and 1958; the Soviet title in 1957 and 1961; an Olympic gold medal in 1956; and an Olympic silver in 1960.