At his first competition, the 1956 Soviet Championships, Minayev broke the world record in the press, but finished only fourth overall.

During his career, Minayev set 13 world records, nine in the press, one in the snatch, and three in the total.

He retired in 1966 and briefly worked as a weightlifting coach before returning to his native Klin, where he took temporary jobs at farms and mechanical workshops.

He spent his last years homeless on the streets of Klin, where he froze to death in December 1993.

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