Born of first generation Ukrainian and Cossack-Canadian parents in North Winnipeg, Manitoba,[2] by age 17 Gordienko had received numerous awards for his physical prowess.

Joe Pazandak was his training partner in wrestling early in his career and Tony Stecher of Minneapolis was his manager in the very beginning.

[9][10] He also competed for Stampede Wrestling, where he won the promotion's International Tag Team Championship and was later inducted into the company's hall of fame.

[11][12] George Gordienko wrestled all over the world, including the Middle East, Australia,[13][14] India, and South Africa.

[1] He competed under a variety of ring names, including Firpo Zyzbsko in India and Flash Gordon in British Columbia.

[15] Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1928, Gordienko moved to the United States to pursue studies to enter a medical career.