Ukrainian refugee Aonishiki wins top sumo title in Japan, eyes rapid rise to Ozeki
Danylo Yavhusishyn, known as Aonishiki, becomes Ukraine’s first elite-level sumo champion and moves toward promotion to the sport’s second-highest rank after winning the Emperor’s Cup in Fukuoka.
Ukrainian refugee makes history by winning Japan’s top sumo tournament
Danylo Yavhusishyn, who performs under the ring name Aonishiki, arrived in Japan in 2022 at age 18 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Now 21, he became Ukraine’s first ever winner of an elite-level sumo tournament by taking the Emperor’s Cup in Fukuoka.
His victory also marks the first European triumph in nearly eight years, and it puts him on the cusp of promotion to the second-highest rank, Ozeki — potentially the fastest ascent in sumo history.
Aonishiki finished the 15-day event with 12 wins and 3 losses, then defeated Yokozuna Hoshoryu in the championship playoff to seal the title.
In a post-victory interview, he downplayed the idea that the win was the culmination of his journey. "No, I think this is just the beginning," he said.
The ring name Aonishiki includes the Japanese character for “blue,” a nod to the Ukrainian flag as he continues to represent his country on the world stage.
A part of his journey: he started sumo at age seven, alongside judo and freestyle wrestling. He excelled in youth amateur competitions, and after Russia’s invasion he fled with his family to Germany before moving to Japan on his own in April 2022. A university sumo club captain he had met at a youth championship helped him settle in Japan.
Despite his relatively short professional career, he has already built a global following thanks to his skill, constant improvement, and willingness to use unorthodox techniques to win matches.
He was one of the most applauded wrestlers at last month’s Grand Sumo Tournament in London at the Royal Albert Hall, a sign of the growing international interest in his ascent. Many analysts now view him as a strong candidate to reach the sport’s top rank of Yokozuna, should his momentum continue.
Key takeaway: Aonishiki’s breakthrough marks a historic milestone for Ukraine in elite sumo and signals a possible rapid rise toward sumo’s highest rank. Source: BBC Sport
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