FUKUOKA, Japan — Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn was promoted to ozeki, the second-highest rank in the sport, on Wednesday after winning the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, becoming the first Ukrainian to reach the level and the fastest to do so since 1958.
The 21-year-old, who fled the war in Ukraine three years ago, debuted in professional sumo in July 2023 and secured his first championship in his 14th tournament by defeating grand master Hoshoryu in a play-off. He is only the fourth European to reach ozeki, following wrestlers from Estonia, Bulgaria, and Georgia.
At a ceremony in western Fukuoka, Yavhusishyn, known by his ring name Aonishiki, bowed to sumo elders and held up a large sea bream as a symbol of celebration. He said he owes his success to listening carefully to his stablemaster and expressed gratitude for his family’s support before moving to Japan.
Born in central Ukraine, Yavhusishyn began sumo at age seven and became a national champion at 17. He avoided Ukraine’s military draft and relocated first to Germany before arriving in Japan, learning the language upon his arrival.
