In 1995, after missing the European Championships because of injury, he finally became world champion by defeating Kazakh wrestler Bakhtiar Baiseitov by points in the -74 kg finals in Prague. He also defeated Iskandaryan for the first time. 1996, however, marked a return of injuries. He finished 7th at the European championships, and was not able to compete at the Worlds or the Olympics. He made yet another triumphant return in 1997, scoring another gold in the 1997 Mediterranean Games and finishing third in Europe. He barely missed the podium at the World Championships, losing to Cuban Filiberto Azcuy by points in a fight for bronze.