Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn became Japan’s first-ever sumo champion on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
A 21-year-old refugee who fled war in Ukraine three years ago won the Kyushu tournament after a decisive victory over grand champion Hoshoryu of Mongolia.
The sumo wrestler, known in the ring as Aonishiki, moved to Japan in 2022 at the age of 18, after the war between Russia and Ukraine began.
While speaking to fans at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center in Japan, the young champion expressed his feelings: “I am happy that I can achieve a goal of mine.”
Moreover, Anonishki is excited as the Japan Sumo Association will soon hold a special meeting to promote him to ‘Ozeki’, the second highest ranking below ‘Yokozunka’, or grand champion.
Born in central Ukraine, Yavhusishyn took up sumo at the age of seven, competing in many World Junior Sumo Championships and becoming a national sumo champion at the age of 17.
After leaving his country during the Ukraine-Russia war, he began a blistering career in the Japanese sumo divisions, where he was promoted to the fourth highest rank in just a year.
Aonishiki won 12 of his 15 fights in the Kyushu Basho (Emperor’s Cup) and also defeated the grand champion, 26-year-old Mongolian Hoshoryu, in the championship play-offs.
When asked if he is satisfied with his performance, Danylo replied: “No, I think this is just the beginning.”
