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Ukraine-Born Aonishiki Wins Kyushu Sumo Title After Beating Grand Champion Hoshoryu

The 21-year-old refugee is set for elevation to sumo's second-highest rank following a rapid rise since his 2023 debut.

Overview

  • Danylo Yavhusishyn, known as Aonishiki, became the first Ukrainian to win a professional sumo tournament.
  • He defeated Mongolian grand champion Hoshoryu on the penultimate day and again in the final bout to secure the Kyushu championship.
  • The victory delivered his first top-division title in only his 14th tournament appearance.
  • He is expected to be promoted this week to sumo's second-highest rank, according to tournament reporting.
  • The former Ukrainian national champion fled the war, stayed in Germany as his parents remained there, then moved to Japan and debuted professionally in July 2023, rising to the upper divisions at the fifth-fastest pace under the modern system.