Early in his international career he finished twelfth at the 1985 European Indoor Championships, tenth at the 1986 European Championships, sixth at the 1988 European Indoor Championships and tenth at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He then got his international breakthrough as he won bronze medals at the 1988 IAAF Grand Prix Final, 1989 World Indoor Championships, 1989 European Indoor Championships and 1990 European Championships and a silver at the 1990 IAAF Grand Prix Final.