Between 1980 and 1982 he won a silver medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics and six medals at the world and European championships; he also set four world records: three in the clean and jerk and one in the total.

[1][2][3] Perviy was known for his weak health and drinking habits.

[citation needed][further explanation needed] In early 1983, he had his first heart attack, which forced him to retire from sports and from the Soviet Army.

Depression and lack of a job resulted in alcoholism and consequent death from another heart attack at the age of 24.

This biographical article relating to weightlifting in the Soviet Union is a stub.