He comes from a 4th generation circus family. He discovered he had a knack for knife throwing after spraining his back in a teeterboard accident when he was 14.  In 1987 he and Natasha defected to the West, leaving his 2 brothers,  his extended family, and his center ring spot in the 'Cyrk Qdinsk'. 

When someone would ask (referring to his throwing knives around his wife)  "Do you ever miss?" 

He proudly announced "I ALWAYS miss!"

His knives are American made 'Silver Dragon' design, weighing in at 12 oz. each and an overall length of just under 13"