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Ukrainian refugee Aonishiki wins elite sumo tournament in Japan
Danylo Yavhusishyn, known in the sumo ring as Aonishiki, has become the first Ukrainian-and the first European in nearly eight years-to win Japan's prestigious Emperor's Cup at the elite professional level. The 21-year-old, who fled Ukraine following Russia's 2022 invasion, secured the championship in Fukuoka on Sunday with a 12-3 record, defeating Mongolian yokozuna (grand champion) Hoshoryu in a playoff.
From war-torn Ukraine to sumo stardom
Aonishiki arrived in Japan at 18, just months after leaving his homeland. His journey began in childhood: he first tried sumo at age seven while also training in judo and freestyle wrestling. After excelling in amateur competitions, he and his family fled to Germany following the Russian invasion. In April 2022, he moved alone to Japan-without knowing the language-after connecting with a university sumo club captain he'd met at a youth tournament.
His ring name, Aonishiki, incorporates the Japanese character for "blue," a nod to Ukraine's national flag. Despite his rapid rise, he dismissed satisfaction with his achievements in a post-victory interview:
"No, I think this is just the beginning," he told reporters.
Record-breaking ascent and global fanbase
Aonishiki's 12-3 performance in the 15-day Fukuoka tournament positions him for promotion to ozeki, sumo's second-highest rank. If confirmed, it would mark the fastest ascent in the sport's history. His unorthodox techniques-often deploying rarely seen moves-have earned praise from veterans and fans alike, including those at last month's sold-out Grand Sumo Tournament at London's Royal Albert Hall, where he was among the most cheered competitors.
Analysts now speculate he could become the first European yokozuna, sumo's ultimate rank, a title held exclusively by Mongolian and Japanese wrestlers in modern history. His underdog story-combined with his skill and relentless improvement-has cultivated a devoted following in Japan and abroad, bridging traditional sumo culture with global internet fandom.
What's next for Aonishiki?
The Japan Sumo Association will review his promotion to ozeki in the coming weeks, with an official announcement expected before the January 2026 tournament in Tokyo. If successful, he would join an elite tier of just four active ozeki-and potentially challenge for the yokozuna title later in the year.
