Ukraine's Aonishiki Becomes Sumo Champion In Japan

A Ukrainian exile has go nan first personification from his state to triumph an elite-level sumo tournament.

Danylo Yavhusishyn - known by his sumo ringing sanction Aonishiki - arrived successful Japan arsenic an 18-year-old successful 2022 aft nan Russian penetration of his country.

Now aged 21, he is nan first Ukrainian to declare nan prized Emperor's Cup and nan first European successful almost 8 years to do so.

He is now connected nan verge of being promoted to nan second-highest rank of Ozeki, successful what would beryllium nan fastest promotion successful history.

Aonishiki vanished nan 15-day tourney successful Fukuoka, Japan, pinch a grounds of 12 wins and 3 losses and went connected to triumph nan title play-off against Yokozuna expansive champion Hoshoryu, a 26-year-old Mongolian who won past month's London tournament.

In his winning ceremonial interview, Aonishiki was asked if he felt satisfied pinch his results aft 3 years successful sumo.

"No, I deliberation this is conscionable nan beginning," he replied.

The sanction Aonishiki contains nan Japanese characteristic for "blue" - a reference to nan Ukrainian flag.

Aonishiki is only nan 2nd Ukrainian successful nan apical section successful sumo. He first tried sumo aged seven, aft besides practicing judo and freestyle wrestling.

He impressed successful younker amateur sumo competitions, and fled to Germany pinch his family aft Russia's invasion.

He moved to Japan by himself successful April 2022, without knowing nan language, pinch nan thief of a assemblage sumo nine skipper he met antecedently astatine a younker title event.

Despite only being successful master sumo for a short time, he has gained fans successful Japan and worldwide pinch his awesome skills, changeless betterment and competitiveness.

He often defeats opponents pinch seldom-used techniques, receiving praise from some professionals and sumo enthusiasts.

Aonishiki, who was 1 of nan astir shouted wrestlers astatine past month's Grand Sumo Tournament astatine nan Royal Albert Hall successful London, is tipped by galore to go nan first-ever European to scope sumo's highest rank of Yokozuna expansive champion.