He was born in Ohrady near Dunajská Streda, Czechoslovakia, and represented the clubs Inter Bratislava and "Dukla Prague". He was very successful in his early career with a bronze medal at the 1978 European Championships in Czechoslovakia, the silver medal at the 1980 Olympic Games, the third place at the 1981 World Cup, the gold medal at the 1982 European Championships and the gold medal at the 1983 World Championships. In 1982 he was awarded as the Sportsperson of the Year in Czechoslovakia.