Ukraine’s Aonishiki becomes sumo champion in Japan

A refugee from Ukraine is the first person to win a top-level sumo match in his nation.

Danylo Yavhusishyn, who is also known as Aonishiki in his sumo ring, made his debut in Japan as an 18-year-old after the Russian invasion of his nation in 2022.

He is the first Ukrainian to win the prized Emperor’s Cup and the first European to do so in almost eight years, aged 21.

In what would be the quickest promotion in history, he is on the verge of earning a promotion to Ozeki’s second-highest rank.

Aonishiki won the championship play-off against Yokozuna grand champion Hoshoryu, a 26-year-old Mongolian who won last month’s London tournament, after a 15-day campaign in Fukuoka, Japan, with a record of 12 victories and three losses.

Aonishiki was asked if he was satisfied with his sumo results after three years in the ceremony.

He responded, “No, I believe this is only the beginning.”

Aonishiki is only the second-place Ukrainian in the top division of sumo. He also practiced judo and freestyle wrestling when he was seven years old.

After Russia’s invasion, he fled to Germany with his family after impressing in junior amateur sumo competitions.

Without any prior prior experience, he relocated to Japan by himself in April 2022, with the assistance of a university sumo club captain, who he had previously met at a youth championship event.

He has gained fans in Japan and around the world thanks to his impressive skills, unwavering success, and unrelenting success.

He frequently wins against opponents while using lessening techniques, drawing praise from both professional and amateur sumo fans.