Taranu won his first national title in 1959, and next year qualified for the 1960 Olympics. His previous international experience consisted of two bouts against Hans Antonsson, both held in Bucharest. In Rome he unexpectedly defeated the Turkish world champion Kazim Ayvaz, but lost to Dimitar Dobrev and ended in a third place. Next year he placed fourth at the 1961 World Championships after losing to Vasily Zenin.