In 1997, he finished in 11th place in the men's 10,000 meters at the European U23 Championships. About a month later, he finished in 15th place in the men's half marathon at the 1997 Summer Universiade. In the fall, he finished the 1997 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 1:03:41. At the 1998 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, he ran a lifetime best of 1:02:11, which was good for 20th place in a deep field. He won the men's race at Yugoslavia's "Beli Kros" in 1999.