 Complete the following phrase:  Born in Chişinău and raised in Ocniţa, he originally specialized in the 3000 metres steeplechase. In that event he finished fourteenth at the 2001 Summer Universiade and fourth at the 2003 Summer Universiade, and competed at the 2000 Olympic Games without reaching the final. His personal best time is 8:29.98 minutes, achieved in July 1999 in Belaya Tserkov. During the indoor season he competed in the 3000 metres. Here he competed at the 