A Ukrainian refugee has become the first person from his country to win an elite-level sumo tournament.
Danylo Yavhusishyn – known by his sumo ring name Aonishiki – arrived in Japan as an 18-year-old in 2022 after the Russian invasion of his country.
Now aged 21, he is the first Ukrainian to claim the prized Emperor’s Cup and the first European in almost eight years to do so.
He is now on the verge of being promoted to the second-highest rank of Ozeki, in what would be the fastest promotion in history.
Aonishiki finished the 15-day tournament in Fukuoka, Japan, with a record of 12 wins and three losses and went on to win the championship play-off against Yokozuna grand champion Hoshoryu, a 26-year-old Mongolian who won last month’s London tournament.
In his winning ceremony interview, Aonishiki was asked if he felt satisfied with his results after three years in sumo.
“No, I think this is just the beginning,” he replied.
The name Aonishiki contains the Japanese character for “blue” – a reference to the Ukrainian flag.
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Aonishiki is only the second Ukrainian in the top division in sumo. He first tried sumo aged seven, after also practicing judo and freestyle wrestling.
He impressed in youth amateur sumo competitions, and fled to Germany with his family after Russia’s invasion.
He moved to Japan by himself in April 2022, without knowing the language, with the help of a university sumo club captain he met previously at a youth championship event.
Despite only being in professional sumo for a short time, he has gained fans in Japan and worldwide with his impressive skills, constant improvement and competitiveness.
He often defeats opponents with seldom-used techniques, receiving praise from both professionals and sumo enthusiasts.
Aonishiki, who was one of the most cheered wrestlers at last month’s Grand Sumo Tournament at the Royal Albert Hall in London, is tipped by many to become the first-ever European to reach sumo’s highest rank of Yokozuna grand champion.
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